A fraction is a part of a whole or any number of equal parts. It is used to describe how many parts of a certain size there are. Fractions consist of a numerator which is the number above the line or before the slash and a denominator, which is the number below or after the line. Fractions can be divided into two categories:
- Proper fractions – those whose numerators are smaller than their denominators. For example 3/5.
- Improper fractions – those whose numerators are larger than their denominators. For example 19/6.
These two covers every possible fraction, but, what about mixed fractions? The truth is a mixed fraction is not a different type of fraction. It is just an improper fraction written differently. More specifically, it is an improper fraction written as the sum of a whole number and a proper fraction.
For example, the improper fraction 3/2 can be written as the equivalent mixed fraction 1 1/2. This can either be read as one-and-one-half or one-and-a-half. The dash is not a subtraction sign; it is just to clarify the mixed fraction 1-1/2 and not the improper fraction 11/2. You should, however, understand that both of these numbers 1-1/2 and 3/2 do represent the same quantity. You should understand this well if you think regarding pies. The first 1-1/2 represents 1 whole pie plus 1/2 of another pie stuck together. The second 3/2 represents 3 different pie halves stuck together. However, both represent the same total quantity of pie.
Mixed fractions are complex to work with, and their calculations require a certain amount of time. But with Online Mixed Fraction Calculator everything becomes easy. With the calculator, you are only required to enter the fractions and select the operation you need. The results will be displayed immediately.
So, how do we simplify mixed fractions? This can be done in the following step, using 4-8/12 as an example.
- Step1: Ensure that the fraction part is in proper form. If it is not, put it in its proper form, and then add the whole numbers together. In the above example, the fraction part is in a proper form.
- Step 2: Determine the factors of the numerator. In this case, 8 is the numerator, and its factors are 1, 2, 4 and 8.
- Step 3: Determine the factors of the denominator. 12 is the denominator, and its factors are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12.
- Step 4: Find the greatest common factor, which is 4.
- Step 5: Divide both the numerator and the denominator using 4, which is the greatest common factor.
- Step 6: Write your simplified answer, which is 4 2/3.