Fractions: A Beginner’s Guide to Proper, Improper, and Mixed Numbers

Fraction

Part of a whole.

What is a fraction?
A fraction is a part of a whole or a number expressed in the form of one integer divided by another. It represents a numerical value that is less than one as compared to the whole. A fraction consists of two parts: the numerator and the denominator. The numerator is the top number, and the denominator is the bottom number.

What are some examples of fractions?
Examples of fractions include: 1/2, 3/4, 5/8, 2/3, 7/10, etc.

What is a proper fraction?
A proper fraction is a fraction in which the numerator is smaller than the denominator. In other words, the value of the fraction is less than one. For example, 2/3 is a proper fraction because 2 is less than 3.

What is an improper fraction?
An improper fraction is a fraction in which the numerator is equal to or greater than the denominator. In other words, the value of the fraction is equal to or greater than one. For example, 7/4 is an improper fraction because 7 is greater than 4.

What is a mixed number?
A mixed number is a combination of a whole number and a proper fraction. It is written in the form of a whole number followed by a proper fraction. For example, 2 1/2 is a mixed number because it represents two whole units and a half unit.

How do you simplify a fraction?
To simplify a fraction, you need to divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common factor (GCF). The GCF is the largest number that divides both the numerator and denominator evenly. For example, to simplify 12/24, you need to find the GCF of 12 and 24, which is 12. Then you divide both 12 and 24 by 12 to get 1/2.

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