Page 59 - BUSINESS MATHEMATICS MODULE 1 (WHOLE)_revised 10.20.2020

Lesson 4.B: TYPE OF FRACTIONS

• Changing a Mixed Number to an Improper Fraction

To change a mixed number to an improper fraction, multiply the denominator by the

whole number portion, then add to this resulting product the original numerator. The denominator
remains the same.

Num. Whole No. x Orig. Denom. + Orig. Num.
Whole No.
Denom. = Original Denominator

2
Example 1: 4
3
2
Solution: 4 = 4×3+2 = 12+2 = 14
3 3 3 3

1
Example 2: 5
4
1
Solution: 5 = 5×4+1 = 20+1 = 21 M1_L3
4 4 4 4
• Reducing Fractions to Lowest Terms

We can work with a fraction more easily by reducing it to its simplest term. A fraction is
reduced to its lowest term if we divide both the numerator and the denominator by the largest whole

number that will divide both without a remainder. As we know, the value of a fraction is not

changed by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by the same number.

6
Example 1. Reduce to its lowest term.
9

6÷3 2
Solution: =
9÷3 3
24
Example 2. Reduce to its lowest term.
56

24÷8 3
Solution: =
56÷8 7

We can say that a fraction is in lowest term if the numerator and the denominator cannot
be divided evenly by any other number except one.

BUSINESS MATHEMATICS: Module 1 3.5 | P a g e