Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions: 5 1/8 x 1/2 as a Fraction
When working with mixed numbers and fractions, it's essential to know how to convert them to improper fractions. In this article, we'll explore how to convert the mixed number 5 1/8 to an improper fraction and then multiply it by 1/2.
Converting 5 1/8 to an Improper Fraction
A mixed number is a combination of a whole number and a fraction. To convert 5 1/8 to an improper fraction, we need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Multiply the whole number part (5) by the denominator (8).
5 × 8 = 40
Step 2: Add the numerator (1) to the product.
40 + 1 = 41
Step 3: Write the result as an improper fraction.
41/8
So, 5 1/8 is equal to the improper fraction 41/8.
Multiplying 41/8 by 1/2
Now that we have the improper fraction, let's multiply it by 1/2.
Multiplication Rule:
To multiply two fractions, multiply the numerators (numbers on top) and multiply the denominators (numbers on the bottom), then simplify the fraction.
(41/8) × (1/2) = ?
Step 1: Multiply the numerators.
41 × 1 = 41
Step 2: Multiply the denominators.
8 × 2 = 16
Step 3: Write the product as a fraction.
41/16
So, 5 1/8 × 1/2 is equal to the improper fraction 41/16.
Conclusion
In this article, we learned how to convert the mixed number 5 1/8 to an improper fraction (41/8) and then multiply it by 1/2 to get the resulting fraction 41/16. Remember to follow the steps for converting mixed numbers to improper fractions and the multiplication rule for fractions to tackle similar problems.
