2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 3.4448 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:
3.4448 = 3.4448/1
Turn the top number into a whole number.
- Multiply both the top and the bottom by the same number.
- This number is: 10,000.
- 1 followed by as many 0-s as the number of digits after the decimal point.
3.4448/1 =
(3.4448 × 10,000)/(1 × 10,000) =
34,448/10,000
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
34,448/10,000
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).
34,448 = 24 × 2,153
10,000 = 24 × 54
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (24 × 2,153; 24 × 54) = 24
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
34,448/10,000 =
(24 × 2,153)/(24 × 54) =
((24 × 2,153) ÷ 24) / ((24 × 54) ÷ 24) =
2,153/54 =
2,153/625
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.
2,153 ÷ 625 = 3, remainder = 278 ⇒
2,153 = 3 × 625 + 278 ⇒
2,153/625 =
(3 × 625 + 278) / 625 =
(3 × 625) / 625 + 278/625 =
3 + 278/625 =
3 278/625