Change a Mixed Number into an Improper Fraction

In this activity, we will learn how to change a mixed number into an improper fraction.

Example
 

To find the numerator of a mixed number, multiply the denominator by the whole number and then add on the numerator.

The denominator of a mixed number is the same as in the original fraction.

In the example above, we need to multiply the whole number 7 by the denominator of 12. This is to find out how many twelfths there are in 7 wholes.

7 x 12 = 84  So, 7 wholes contain 84 twelfths.

Then, we need to add on the 11 twelfths that is the numerator: 84 + 11 = 95

The denominator remains unchanged as 12.

So, our improper fraction is:

Did you follow that ok?

Here's another one for you to check out.

What is 3 4/9 as an improper fraction?

First of all, we want to find out how many ninths there are in 3 whole numbers, so we multiply 3 by 9

3 x 9 = 27 so we know that there are 27 ninths in 3 whole numbers. 

But we have 4 more ninths to include (the numerator) so we do 27 + 4 = 31

So we have 31 ninths in total which we write as 31/9

Let's have a go at some questions now.