How to Convert a Whole Number to an Improper Fraction

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

You probably know that you can easily convert a whole number to an "improper" fraction by expressing the whole number as a numerator and choosing 1 as the denominator. That would be a "reduced" improper fraction. It's also easy to convert a whole number to an unreduced improper fraction. Here's how:

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. The whole number is the numerator, and 1 is the denominator. For example, if the whole number is 4, the numerator of the fraction is 4, and the denominator is 1. Thus, 4/1. [1] A fraction is equivalent to 1 if its numerator is the same as its denominator. Examples are 3/3, 5/5, and 7/7. Set both fractions apart with a multiplication sign.
  2. Take the improper fraction chosen in Step 1 above. Multiply it by any fraction that equals 1. This does not change the value of the original improper fraction. For example, multiply 4/1 by 5/5 (numerator times numerator, and denominator times denominator). 4/1 multiplied by 5/5 equals 20/5. You now have an unreduced improper fraction with the value of 4. [2]
    • Examples of improper fractions that equal 4 include 4/1, 8/2, 12/3, 16/4, 20/5 and 24/6. Note that in each fraction, the numerator is four times the denominator.
    • If the original whole number had been, for instance, 5 rather than 4, the numerator of an equivalent improper fraction would be five times the denominator.
    3. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I properly multiply fractions?
    Grace Imson, MA
    Math Teacher
    Grace Imson is a math teacher with over 40 years of teaching experience. Grace is currently a math instructor at the City College of San Francisco and was previously in the Math Department at Saint Louis University. She has taught math at the elementary, middle, high school, and college levels. She has an MA in Education, specializing in Administration and Supervision from Saint Louis University.
    Grace Imson, MA
    Math Teacher
    Expert Answer
    To simplify the process of multiplying fractions, first multiply the numerators together to get the new numerator. Then, multiply the denominators together to find the new denominator. After obtaining the product, it's beneficial to simplify the resulting fraction by canceling out any common factors between the numerator and the denominator. By simplifying before multiplying, especially when dealing with larger numbers, you can work with smaller, more manageable numbers, which makes the calculation easier and reduces the likelihood of errors. Simplifying fractions not only streamlines the multiplication process but also aids in understanding the relationship between the numbers involved, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in mathematical operations.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How could I make 4 into an improper fraction?
    Community Answer
    Some examples of this would be 8/2, 12/3, and 16/4. Do this by using Steps 2 and 3 above.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 46 Helpful 31
  • Question
    How do you convert 15/6 into a whole number?
    Community Answer
    It will convert only into a mixed number, because 15 is not a multiple of 6. (18/6, for example, would convert into a whole number.)
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 37 Helpful 16
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Turn a Fraction into a Decimal
      How to
      Divide Fractions by Fractions
      How Do You Subtract Fractions? 5 Quick & Easy Steps
      How to
      Divide Mixed Fractions
      How to
      Divide Fractions by a Whole Number
      How Do I Measure ¾ Cup?
      Easy-to-Follow Methods for Adding Fractions
      How to
      Type Fractions
      How to
      Multiply Fractions With Whole Numbers
      How to
      Solve Fraction Questions in Math
      How to
      Find the Least Common Denominator
      How to
      Order Fractions (with Examples)
      How to
      Add Fractions With Unlike Denominators
      How to
      Simplify Complex Fractions
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about math, check out our in-depth interview with Grace Imson, MA .

      References

      1. ↑ https://sciencing.com/convert-fractions-whole-numbers-8570931.html
      2. ↑ https://sciencing.com/radius-circle-chord-5929711.html

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 109,903 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement