2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 387.24 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:
387.24 = 387.24/1
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.
387.24/1 =
(387.24 × 100)/(1 × 100) =
38,724/100
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
38,724/100
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).
38,724 = 22 × 3 × 7 × 461
100 = 22 × 52
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (22 × 3 × 7 × 461; 22 × 52) = 22
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
38,724/100 =
(22 × 3 × 7 × 461)/(22 × 52) =
((22 × 3 × 7 × 461) ÷ 22) / ((22 × 52) ÷ 22) =
(3 × 7 × 461)/52 =
9,681/25
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.
9,681 ÷ 25 = 387, remainder = 6 ⇒
9,681 = 387 × 25 + 6 ⇒
9,681/25 =
(387 × 25 + 6) / 25 =
(387 × 25) / 25 + 6/25 =
387 + 6/25 =
387 6/25