2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 6.238 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:
6.238 = 6.238/1
Turn the top number into a whole number.
- Multiply both the top and the bottom by the same number.
- This number is: 1,000.
- 1 followed by as many 0-s as the number of digits after the decimal point.
6.238/1 =
(6.238 × 1,000)/(1 × 1,000) =
6,238/1,000
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
6,238/1,000
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).
6,238 = 2 × 3,119
1,000 = 23 × 53
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (2 × 3,119; 23 × 53) = 2
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
6,238/1,000 =
(2 × 3,119)/(23 × 53) =
((2 × 3,119) ÷ 2) / ((23 × 53) ÷ 2) =
3,119/(22 × 53) =
3,119/500
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.
3,119 ÷ 500 = 6, remainder = 119 ⇒
3,119 = 6 × 500 + 119 ⇒
3,119/500 =
(6 × 500 + 119) / 500 =
(6 × 500) / 500 + 119/500 =
6 + 119/500 =
6 119/500