2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 4.25 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:
4.25 = 4.25/1
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.
4.25/1 =
(4.25 × 100)/(1 × 100) =
425/100
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
425/100
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).
425 = 52 × 17
100 = 22 × 52
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (52 × 17; 22 × 52) = 52
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
425/100 =
(52 × 17)/(22 × 52) =
((52 × 17) ÷ 52) / ((22 × 52) ÷ 52) =
17/22 =
17/4