2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 21.78 can be written as an improper fraction.
- An improper fraction = the numerator is larger than or equal to the denominator..
Write down the number divided by 1, as a fraction:
21.78 = 21.78/1
Turn the top number into a whole number.
- Multiply both the top and the bottom by the same number.
- This number is: 100.
- 1 followed by as many 0-s as the number of digits after the decimal point.
21.78/1 =
(21.78 × 100)/(1 × 100) =
2,178/100
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
2,178/100
to the lowest terms, to its simplest equivalent form, irreducible.
To reduce a fraction to the lowest terms divide the numerator and denominator by their greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Factor the numerator and denominator (prime factorization).
2,178 = 2 × 32 × 112
100 = 22 × 52
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (2 × 32 × 112; 22 × 52) = 2
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
2,178/100 =
(2 × 32 × 112)/(22 × 52) =
((2 × 32 × 112) ÷ 2) / ((22 × 52) ÷ 2) =
(32 × 112)/(2 × 52) =
1,089/50
4. The fraction is an improper one, rewrite it as a mixed number (mixed fraction):
- A mixed number = an integer number and a proper fraction, of the same sign.
- Example 1: 2 1/5; Example 2: - 1 3/7.
- A proper fraction = the numerator is smaller than the denominator.
1,089 ÷ 50 = 21, remainder = 39 ⇒
1,089 = 21 × 50 + 39 ⇒
1,089/50 =
(21 × 50 + 39) / 50 =
(21 × 50) / 50 + 39/50 =
21 + 39/50 =
21 39/50