Mixed numbers and improper fractions · Grade 4
In Grade 4 you learn: fractions greater than 1.
An improper fraction has a top number bigger than its bottom number, like 7/4. A mixed number writes the same amount as whole ones plus a fraction: 1 3/4. Recipes, measurements and times often use mixed numbers, while calculations are usually easier with improper fractions.
Key facts
- An improper fraction is more than 1. A whole number can be written as a fraction too: 3 = 6/2 = 12/4.
- Always simplify the fraction part: 6 4/12 = 6 1/3.
Worked examples
Example 1
How many minutes are there in 2 3/4 hours?
Answer: 165 minutes
Example 2
A 5 m rope is cut into pieces 3/4 m long. How many whole pieces can be cut, and how much rope is left?
Answer: 6 pieces, with 1/2 m left