Improper Fractions

At times you may end up with a strange looking fraction that has a numerator that
is larger than a denominator. This is called an improper fraction. In general, you don’t
want this, but don’t worry! There’s an easy way to fix it—you turn it into a mixed
number. When you have a fraction that looks like this: 9/7, simply divide the numerator
by the denominator (divide the top number by the bottom number).

Instead of writing your remainder as r 2, turn it into a fraction by putting the
remainder over the divisor (7).

Now, your answer is 1 2/7. Make sure you don’t need to reduce it (this one is already
reduced) and you’re done!

Let’s try this one more time. Let’s say you have a fraction that looks like this:

Now, we would set up normal long division, which would look like this:

Once you get your answer as a mixed number, check the fraction to make sure that
it does not need to be reduced. (This one does not.)

Note: there are some times where you need to use improper fractions, such as when
you’re subtracting mixed numbers. Take a look at this example:

First, we found common denominators so that we can do subtraction, however, the
top fraction is smaller than the bottom fraction, so we have to borrow from the
whole number so that we can subtract. We cross out the 4 and make it a 3, and then
add “1” (in its fraction form) to the top fraction, like this:

Notice the red fraction. After we borrow and add 1 in its fraction form, we end
up with an improper fraction. However, that’s okay, because in this case we need
an improper fraction so that we can do the subtraction. Our final answer is 1 13/15.
Check and make sure it’s reduced all the way (this one is) and we’re done!

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