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Proper and Improper Fractions, Mixed Numbers


Date: 8/19/96 at 21:45:42
From: Ryan Wooten
Subject: Proper and Improper Fractions

How do I make a proper fraction into an improper fraction?

Thanks!
   Ryan

Date: 8/30/96 at 15:12:30
From: Doctor Jim
Subject: Re: Proper and Improper Fractions

You can't.  By definition a proper fraction is written with the top 
number equal to or smaller than the bottom number, so a proper 
fraction can not be turned into an improper one.  

On the other hand, a mixed number, like 5 3/4, can be changed into an 
improper fraction by multiplying the bottom number and the whole 
number and then adding the top number, so 4*5+3 = 23 becomes the top 
number and 4 remains the bottom.  23/4 is the improper fraction.

-Doctor Jim,  The Math Forum
 Check out our web site!  http://mathforum.org/dr.math/

Associated Topics:
Middle School Fractions

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