2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 41.18 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:
41.18 = 41.18/1
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.
41.18/1 =
(41.18 × 100)/(1 × 100) =
4,118/100
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
4,118/100
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).
4,118 = 2 × 29 × 71
100 = 22 × 52
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (2 × 29 × 71; 22 × 52) = 2
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
4,118/100 =
(2 × 29 × 71)/(22 × 52) =
((2 × 29 × 71) ÷ 2) / ((22 × 52) ÷ 2) =
(29 × 71)/(2 × 52) =
2,059/50
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.
2,059 ÷ 50 = 41, remainder = 9 ⇒
2,059 = 41 × 50 + 9 ⇒
2,059/50 =
(41 × 50 + 9) / 50 =
(41 × 50) / 50 + 9/50 =
41 + 9/50 =
41 9/50