7.

Converting Improper Fractions to Mixed

Numbers
While improper fractions are good for calculations, they are rarely used in everyday situations. For example, people
23 1
do not wear a size shoe; instead they wear a size 11 shoe.
2 2

7
= 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 =
2
To convert to an improper fraction we need to work out how many whole numbers we have. Here we reverse the
procedure from the previous section. We can see that 6 of the halves combine to form 3 wholes; with a half left
over.

= 3 12
So to work this symbolically as a mathematical calculation we simply divide the numerator by the denominator.
Whatever the remainder is becomes the new numerator.
7
Using a worked example of the diagram above: Convert
2
1 7 1
7÷2=3 If I have three whole numbers, then I also have six halves and we have one half remaining. ∴ =3
2 2 2

That was an easy one. Another example:

17
Convert into a 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓.
5
working: 17 ÷ 5 = the whole number is 3 with some remaining.
If I have 3 whole numbers that is 15 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓ℎ𝑠𝑠. (3 × 5) I must now have 2 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓ℎ𝑠𝑠 remaining. (17 − 15)
2
Therefore, I have 3
5

Example problems: Convert the improper fractions to mixed numbers:

27 3 1
1. =4 =4
6 6 2
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁: (27 ÷ 6 = 4.5) 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 (4 × 6 = 24) 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤ℎ (27 − 24 = 3) remaining. Don’t forget equivalent fractions.

8 2
2. = 2 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁: (8 ÷ 3 = 2.67) 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 (2 × 3 = 6) 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤ℎ (8 − 6 = 2) remaining.
3 3

7. Your Turn:

Convert the following improper fractions to mixed numbers:

7 53
a) = c) =
5 9
12 27
b) = d) =
9 7

Watch this short Khan Academy video for further explanation:

“Mixed numbers and improper fractions” (converting both ways)
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-fourth-grade-math/imp-fractions-2/imp-mixed-numbers/v/changing-a-mixed-number-to-an-
improper-fraction

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