Video and Examples

Mixed numbers can be converted into improper fractions and vice versa. Learn how here. $3\frac{2}{5}\,=\,\frac{17}{5}\,\,\,\mbox{and}\,\,\,\frac{13}{7}\,=\,1\frac{6}{7}$

Changing a mixed number into an improper fraction.

Consider the mixed number $1\frac{3}{5}$ . Here is how you can imagine $1\frac{3}{5}$ on a number line.

$1\frac{3}{5}$ means each whole number is cut into five pieces and there are three additional fractional pieces. Therefore there are eight fractional pieces in $1\frac{3}{5}$ .

$1\frac{3}{5}\,=\,\frac{8}{5}$

A second way to think of this goes as follows:

$1\frac{3}{5}\,=\,1\,+\,\frac{3}{5}\,=\,\frac{5}{5}\,+\,\frac{3}{5}\,=\,\frac{8}{5}$

Changing an improper fraction into a mixed number.

We can also change in improper fraction into a mixed number. Here is how…

The fraction $\frac{8}{3}$ means you have 8 fractional pieces and each three fractional pieces equals one whole. Look at the picture of $\frac{8}{3}$ .

You can see that $\frac{8}{3}$ is equal to 2 wholes plus $\frac{2}{3}$ left over. This means

$\frac{8}{3}\,=\,2\frac{2}{3}$

A second way to think of this goes as follows:

$\frac{8}{3}\,=\,\frac{3}{3}\,+\,\frac{3}{3}\,+\,\frac{2}{3}\,=\,1\,+\,1\,+\,\frac{2}{3}\,=\,2\frac{2}{3}$

Explore with this GeoGebra applet:

Duane Habecker, Created with GeoGebra

1. Change each improper fraction into a mixed number. (Use the applet above to check your answer.)
	a) $\frac{11}{3} =$	b) $\frac{21}{8} =$	c) $\frac{7}{4} =$	d) $\frac{20}{5} =$
2. Change each mixed number into an improper fraction. (Use the applet above to check your answer.)
	a) $2\frac{2}{3} =$	b) $5\frac{1}{4} =$	c) $8\frac{1}{2} =$	d) $2\frac{6}{7} =$
3. Use words to describe what the picture would look like for the improper fraction $\frac{16}{3}$ . Draw a sketch of the number line for $\frac{16}{3}$ . Confirm your thoughts by setting the sliders to $\frac{16}{3}$ .