2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 3.146 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:
3.146 = 3.146/1
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.
3.146/1 =
(3.146 × 1,000)/(1 × 1,000) =
3,146/1,000
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
3,146/1,000
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).
3,146 = 2 × 112 × 13
1,000 = 23 × 53
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (2 × 112 × 13; 23 × 53) = 2
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
3,146/1,000 =
(2 × 112 × 13)/(23 × 53) =
((2 × 112 × 13) ÷ 2) / ((23 × 53) ÷ 2) =
(112 × 13)/(22 × 53) =
1,573/500
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.
1,573 ÷ 500 = 3, remainder = 73 ⇒
1,573 = 3 × 500 + 73 ⇒
1,573/500 =
(3 × 500 + 73) / 500 =
(3 × 500) / 500 + 73/500 =
3 + 73/500 =
3 73/500