2. Write the number as an improper fraction.
- 65.984 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:
65.984 = 65.984/1
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.
65.984/1 =
(65.984 × 1,000)/(1 × 1,000) =
65,984/1,000
3. Reduce (simplify) the fraction above:
65,984/1,000
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).
65,984 = 26 × 1,031
1,000 = 23 × 53
Calculate the greatest (highest) common factor (divisor), GCF.
Multiply all the common prime factors by the lowest exponents.
GCF (26 × 1,031; 23 × 53) = 23
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their GCF.
65,984/1,000 =
(26 × 1,031)/(23 × 53) =
((26 × 1,031) ÷ 23) / ((23 × 53) ÷ 23) =
(23 × 1,031)/53 =
8,248/125
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.
8,248 ÷ 125 = 65, remainder = 123 ⇒
8,248 = 65 × 125 + 123 ⇒
8,248/125 =
(65 × 125 + 123) / 125 =
(65 × 125) / 125 + 123/125 =
65 + 123/125 =
65 123/125