2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 6.285 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:
6.285 = 6.285/1
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.
6.285/1 =
(6.285 × 1,000)/(1 × 1,000) =
6,285/1,000
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
6,285/1,000
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).
6,285 = 3 × 5 × 419
1,000 = 23 × 53
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (3 × 5 × 419; 23 × 53) = 5
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
6,285/1,000 =
(3 × 5 × 419)/(23 × 53) =
((3 × 5 × 419) ÷ 5) / ((23 × 53) ÷ 5) =
(3 × 419)/(23 × 52) =
1,257/200
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.
1,257 ÷ 200 = 6, remainder = 57 ⇒
1,257 = 6 × 200 + 57 ⇒
1,257/200 =
(6 × 200 + 57) / 200 =
(6 × 200) / 200 + 57/200 =
6 + 57/200 =
6 57/200