2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 274.86 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:
274.86 = 274.86/1
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.
274.86/1 =
(274.86 × 100)/(1 × 100) =
27,486/100
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
27,486/100
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).
27,486 = 2 × 33 × 509
100 = 22 × 52
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (2 × 33 × 509; 22 × 52) = 2
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
27,486/100 =
(2 × 33 × 509)/(22 × 52) =
((2 × 33 × 509) ÷ 2) / ((22 × 52) ÷ 2) =
(33 × 509)/(2 × 52) =
13,743/50
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.
13,743 ÷ 50 = 274, remainder = 43 ⇒
13,743 = 274 × 50 + 43 ⇒
13,743/50 =
(274 × 50 + 43) / 50 =
(274 × 50) / 50 + 43/50 =
274 + 43/50 =
274 43/50