2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 234.768 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:
234.768 = 234.768/1
Turn the top number into a whole number.
- Multiply both the top and the bottom by the same number.
- This number is: 1,000.
- 1 followed by as many 0-s as the number of digits after the decimal point.
234.768/1 =
(234.768 × 1,000)/(1 × 1,000) =
234,768/1,000
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
234,768/1,000
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).
234,768 = 24 × 3 × 67 × 73
1,000 = 23 × 53
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (24 × 3 × 67 × 73; 23 × 53) = 23
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
234,768/1,000 =
(24 × 3 × 67 × 73)/(23 × 53) =
((24 × 3 × 67 × 73) ÷ 23) / ((23 × 53) ÷ 23) =
(2 × 3 × 67 × 73)/53 =
29,346/125
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.
29,346 ÷ 125 = 234, remainder = 96 ⇒
29,346 = 234 × 125 + 96 ⇒
29,346/125 =
(234 × 125 + 96) / 125 =
(234 × 125) / 125 + 96/125 =
234 + 96/125 =
234 96/125