Classifying

Fractions

Unit 14 > Lesson 2
of 11


Look at each fraction below. How are these fractions similar? How are they different?

The fractions above are similar since each one has a denominator of 4. Look at the circles
below to see how these fractions are different.

one-fourth



four-fourths



seven-fourths




The fraction is called a proper fraction. The fractions and are improper fractions.

Definition: A proper fraction is a fraction in which the numerator is less than the denominator.
Definition: An improper fraction is a fraction in which the numerator is greater than or equal
to the denominator.

In example 1, we will identify each fraction as proper or improper. We will also write each
fraction using words.

Example 1
Fraction Type Words

improper three-halves

proper two-fifths

improper three-thirds

proper five-sixths

improper eleven-eighths

improper eight-eighths


What do the fractions in example 2 have in common?

Example 2


two-halves



three-thirds



four-fourths



five-fifths



six-sixths



In example 2, each fraction has a numerator that is equal to its denominator. Each of these
fractions is an improper fraction, equal to one whole (1). An improper fraction can also be
greater than one whole, as shown in example 3.

Example 3





In the improper fraction seven-fourths, the numerator (7) is greater than the denominator
(4). We can write this improper fraction as a mixed number.


Definition: A mixed number consists of a whole-number part and a fractional part.


In examples 4 through 6, we will write each improper fraction as a mixed number.


Example 4









In example 4, seven-fourths is an improper fraction. It is really the sum of four-fourths and
three-fourths. Seven-fourths is written as the mixed number one and three-fourths,
where one is the whole-number part, and three-fourths is the fractional part.


Example 5

















In example 5, the improper fraction seven-thirds is written as the mixed number two and
one-third, where two is the whole-number part, and one-third is the fractional part.


Example 6








In example 6, the improper fraction seventeen-fifths is written as the mixed number three
and two-fifths, where three is the whole-number part, and two-fifths is the fractional part.

In example 7, we will write each number using words. We will then classify each number as
a proper fraction, an improper fraction, or a mixed number. Place your mouse over the
answer text see if you got it right.


Example 7
Number Words Type of Fraction

three-eighths answer 1

one and three-sevenths answer 2

five-fifths answer 3

eleven-fourths answer 4

three and five-sixths answer 5

eight-thirds answer 6

fourteen-sevenths answer 7


The last number in example 7 can be written as a whole number: fourteen-sevenths is
equal to two wholes (2).


How can you tell if a fraction is less than 1, equal to 1, or greater than 1?

Compare the numerator and denominator Example Type of Fraction Write As
If the numerator < denominator, then the fraction
< 1.

proper fraction proper fraction
If the numerator = denominator, then the fraction
= 1.

improper
fraction
whole number
If the numerator > denominator, then the fraction
> 1.

improper
fraction
mixed number


Summary: A number can be classified as a proper fraction, an improper
fraction, or as a mixed number. Any number divided by itself is
equal to one. A mixed number consists of a whole-number part
and a fractional part.
Converting
Fractions
to
Mixed
Numbers

Unit
14 >
Lesson
7 of 11


You may recall the example below from a previous lesson.
Example 1









In example 1, we used circles to help us solve the problem. Now look at the next
example.


Example 2: At a birthday party, there are 19 cupcakes to be shared
equally among 11 guests. What part of the cupcakes will
each guest get?

Analysis: We need to divide 19 cupcakes by 11 equal parts. It
would be time-consuming to use circles or other shapes
to help us solve this problem. Therefore, we need an
arithmetic method.
Step 1: Look at the fraction nineteen-elevenths below. Recall that the fraction bar
means to divide the numerator by the denominator. This is shown in step
2.
Step 2:

Step 3:

Solution:


In example 2, the fraction nineteen-elevenths was converted to the mixed number one
and eight-elevenths. Recall that a mixed number consists of a whole-number part and
a fractional part. Let's look at some more examples of converting fractions to mixed
numbers using the arithmetic method.

Example 3:

Analysis: We need to divide 17 into 5 equal parts
Step 1:

Step 2:

Answer:



Example 4:

Analysis: We need to divide 37 into 10 equal parts.
Step 1:

Step 2:

Answer:



Example 5:

Analysis: We need to divide 37 into 13 equal parts.
Step 1:

Step 2:

Answer:


In each of the examples above, we converted a fraction to a mixed number through
long division of its numerator and denominator. Look at example 6 below. What is
wrong with this problem?

Example 6:

Analysis: In the fraction seven-eighths, the numerator is less than the denominator.
Therefore, seven-eighths is a proper fraction less than 1. We know from a
previous lesson that a mixed number is greater than 1.
Answer:
Seven-eighths cannot be written as a mixed number because it is a proper
fraction.


Example 7: Can these fractions be written as mixed numbers? Explain why or why not.


Analysis: In each fraction above, the numerator is equal to the denominator. Therefore,
each of these fractions is an improper fraction equal to 1. But a mixed number
is greater than 1.
Answer: These fractions cannot be written as mixed numbers since each is an
improper fraction equal to 1.


After reading examples 6 and 7, you may be wondering: Which types of
fractions can be written as mixed numbers?To answer this question, let's review an
important chart from a previous lesson.

Comparison of numerator and denominator Example
Type of
Fraction
Write As
If the numerator < denominator, then the
fraction < 1.

proper fraction proper fraction
If the numerator = denominator, then the
fraction = 1.

improper
fraction
whole number
If the numerator > denominator, then the
fraction > 1.

improper
fraction
mixed number


The answer to the question is: Only an improper fraction greater than 1 can be
written to a mixed number.


Summary: We can convert an improper fraction greater than one to a mixed number
through long division of its numerator and denominator.

Converting Mixed Numbers to Fractions
Our lesson on converting fractions to mixed numbers is now available only
on CD or by File Download. This in-depth lesson is part of an all-new
instructional unit on Basic Fraction Concepts, with 11 in-depth lessons
aligned to the Common Core. See the screen shot below, or view
our learning objectives.