2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 3.15 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:
3.15 = 3.15/1
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.
3.15/1 =
(3.15 × 100)/(1 × 100) =
315/100
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
315/100
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).
315 = 32 × 5 × 7
100 = 22 × 52
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (32 × 5 × 7; 22 × 52) = 5
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
315/100 =
(32 × 5 × 7)/(22 × 52) =
((32 × 5 × 7) ÷ 5) / ((22 × 52) ÷ 5) =
(32 × 7)/(22 × 5) =
63/20