What is an 'improper' fraction?

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igor_iv837

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Aug 30, 2008
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What is improper fraction and when i do equations, my teacher said to leave the answer as improper fraction, How do i know when to leave as improper Fraction and when to simplify it?
 
Improper Fractions are no longer improper ...

Hi Igor:

If the numerator is larger than the denominator, then the fraction is called "improper".

7/6

35/4

999/98

When you were in elementary school, the teachers made you change improper fractions into mixed numbers.

7/6 = 1-1/6

35/4 = 8-3/4

999/98 = 10-19/98

Once you start algebra, you can forget about changing improper fractions into mixed numbers. Always reduce your fractions to lowest terms, but after that, if you find that you have an improper fraction, then just leave it as is.

For example, if you have:

(26/8) x^2

Then reduce it to:

(13/4) x^2

DO NOT WRITE:

3-1/4 x^2

Cheers,

~ Mark :)

 
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