2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 272.5 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:
272.5 = 272.5/1
Turn the top number into a whole number.
- Multiply both the top and the bottom by the same number.
- This number is: 10.
- 1 followed by as many 0-s as the number of digits after the decimal point.
272.5/1 =
(272.5 × 10)/(1 × 10) =
2,725/10
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
2,725/10
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).
2,725 = 52 × 109
10 = 2 × 5
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (52 × 109; 2 × 5) = 5
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
2,725/10 =
(52 × 109)/(2 × 5) =
((52 × 109) ÷ 5) / ((2 × 5) ÷ 5) =
(5 × 109)/2 =
545/2