2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 23.98 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:
23.98 = 23.98/1
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.
23.98/1 =
(23.98 × 100)/(1 × 100) =
2,398/100
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
2,398/100
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).
2,398 = 2 × 11 × 109
100 = 22 × 52
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (2 × 11 × 109; 22 × 52) = 2
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
2,398/100 =
(2 × 11 × 109)/(22 × 52) =
((2 × 11 × 109) ÷ 2) / ((22 × 52) ÷ 2) =
(11 × 109)/(2 × 52) =
1,199/50
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.
1,199 ÷ 50 = 23, remainder = 49 ⇒
1,199 = 23 × 50 + 49 ⇒
1,199/50 =
(23 × 50 + 49) / 50 =
(23 × 50) / 50 + 49/50 =
23 + 49/50 =
23 49/50