Convert a mixed number to an improper fraction in 4 steps

Do you ever look at a mixed number and wonder, "What does that even mean?" or, "How do I change that into an improper fraction?"

Look no further! Learn how to convert mixed numbers into improper fractions in 4 easy steps!

Proper Fraction

Denominator (5)

• tells you how many equal parts make up one whole

Numerator (2)

• tells you how many parts you have, out of the whole total

Mixed Number

Mixed numbers are fractions that consist of 2 parts: the whole number and a fraction.

Whole Number (3)

• tells you how many whole pieces there are in total

Fraction (2/5)

• tells you how many parts of a whole there are

Improper Fraction

An improper fraction is another way to represent mixed numbers, where the numerator is greater than the denominator.

Let's imagine pizzas to help us understand mixed numbers.

The whole number, 3, tells us that there are 3 whole pizzas, with 5 equal pieces.

The denominator, 5, tells us that the whole pizza is divided equally into 5 pieces.

The numerator, 2, tells us that there is one pizza that isn't quite whole. There are 2 slices of the 5 that remain.

If...

• there are 5 slices in a whole and,

• there are 3 wholes...

That means the 3 wholes are made of 15 equal slices!

The fraction tells us...

• we have 2 remaining slices

So, if we have 15 slices from the wholes, and 2 slices from the fraction...

• we have 17 slices in total!

Write 17 as the numerator. The numerator tells us how many equal parts we have.

Keep the denominator as 5, because the denominator tells us how many equal parts there are in a whole. It doesn't change.

Why of course!

1. Multiply the whole number (3) by the denominator (7). This will tell us how many pieces make up the whole. 3 x 7 = 21

2. Add the numerator (5). This will tell us how many pieces there are altogether. 21 + 5 = 26

3. Write the sum as the new numerator of the improper fraction.

4. Keep the same denominator. 26/7

Was converting from a mixed number to an improper fraction easier than you thought? Sometimes, unfamiliar concepts can make you panic (I know I do), but with a little practice, you'll be a pro at converting fractions in no time!