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Improper Fractions


If the numerator of a fraction is greater than or equal to the denominator, the fraction is referred to as an improper fraction.  Improper fractions represent numbers greater than or equal to 1.

Improper fractions may be converted to mixed numbers which consist of a whole number portion and fractional portion. While mixed numbers represent the sum of the whole number portion plus the fractional part, the plus sign is omitted.  As an example, the mixed number of 2½ (= 2 + ½), is written without the plus sign.

Converting improper fractions to mixed numbers may be performed by dividing the numerator into the denominator.  The whole number portion of the answer represents the whole number portion of the mixed number while the remainder over the original denominator represents the fractional part.

Example: