Converting 2 1/4 6/8 to a Simplified Fraction
Have you ever wondered how to convert a mixed fraction like 2 1/4 6/8 to a simplified fraction? In this article, we will break down the process step by step, making it easy for you to understand and apply to similar problems.
Understanding Mixed Fractions
Before we dive into converting 2 1/4 6/8 to a simplified fraction, let's quickly review what mixed fractions are. A mixed fraction is a combination of a whole number and a proper fraction. In our case, we have 2 as the whole number and 1/4 6/8 as the fractional part.
Converting to Improper Fractions
To simplify a mixed fraction, we need to convert it to an improper fraction first. An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator.
Let's break down 2 1/4 6/8 into its components:
- The whole number part: 2
- The fractional part: 1/4 6/8
We can rewrite the fractional part as:
- 1/4 = 1/4
- 6/8 = 3/4 (simplified)
Now, let's combine the whole number part and the fractional part:
- 2 + 1/4 = 2 + 0.25 = 2.25
- 2 + 3/4 = 2 + 0.75 = 2.75
So, our mixed fraction 2 1/4 6/8 is equivalent to 2.75.
Converting to a Simplified Fraction
Now that we have an improper fraction, we can simplify it further. To do this, we need to find the least common multiple (LCM) of the numerator and denominator.
- Numerator: 11 (2.75 = 11/4)
- Denominator: 4
The LCM of 11 and 4 is 44. We can rewrite the improper fraction as:
- 11/4 = 11/4
And that's it! We have successfully converted 2 1/4 6/8 to a simplified fraction: 11/4.
Conclusion
Converting mixed fractions to simplified fractions might seem daunting at first, but by breaking it down into smaller steps, it becomes a straightforward process. Remember to convert the mixed fraction to an improper fraction, and then simplify it by finding the least common multiple of the numerator and denominator.
In this case, we converted 2 1/4 6/8 to 11/4, a simplified fraction that is easy to work with.
