2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 258.25 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:
258.25 = 258.25/1
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.
258.25/1 =
(258.25 × 100)/(1 × 100) =
25,825/100
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
25,825/100
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).
25,825 = 52 × 1,033
100 = 22 × 52
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (52 × 1,033; 22 × 52) = 52
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
25,825/100 =
(52 × 1,033)/(22 × 52) =
((52 × 1,033) ÷ 52) / ((22 × 52) ÷ 52) =
1,033/22 =
1,033/4
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.
1,033 ÷ 4 = 258, remainder = 1 ⇒
1,033 = 258 × 4 + 1 ⇒
1,033/4 =
(258 × 4 + 1) / 4 =
(258 × 4) / 4 + 1/4 =
258 + 1/4 =
258 1/4