2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 6.284 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:
6.284 = 6.284/1
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.
6.284/1 =
(6.284 × 1,000)/(1 × 1,000) =
6,284/1,000
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
6,284/1,000
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).
6,284 = 22 × 1,571
1,000 = 23 × 53
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (22 × 1,571; 23 × 53) = 22
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
6,284/1,000 =
(22 × 1,571)/(23 × 53) =
((22 × 1,571) ÷ 22) / ((23 × 53) ÷ 22) =
1,571/(2 × 53) =
1,571/250
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.
1,571 ÷ 250 = 6, remainder = 71 ⇒
1,571 = 6 × 250 + 71 ⇒
1,571/250 =
(6 × 250 + 71) / 250 =
(6 × 250) / 250 + 71/250 =
6 + 71/250 =
6 71/250