Mixed Number Calculator
What are Mixed Numbers?
A mixed number (also called a mixed fraction) is a number that combines a whole number and a proper fraction. For example, 3½ is a mixed number that represents 3 + ½, or three and a half.
Mixed numbers are commonly used in everyday measurements, recipes, and other practical applications where it's more intuitive to express quantities as combinations of whole and fractional parts.
Converting Between Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions
Mixed Number to Improper Fraction
To convert a mixed number to an improper fraction:
- Multiply the whole number by the denominator
- Add the result to the numerator
- Keep the same denominator
Example: 3½ = 3 + ½ = (3 × 2 + 1) / 2 = 7/2
Improper Fraction to Mixed Number
To convert an improper fraction to a mixed number:
- Divide the numerator by the denominator
- The quotient becomes the whole number
- The remainder becomes the new numerator
- Keep the same denominator
Example: 7/2 = 3 + 1/2 = 3½
Operations with Mixed Numbers
When performing operations with mixed numbers, you can either:
- Convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions, perform the operation, then convert back
- Work directly with the mixed numbers using specific rules for each operation
The first approach is generally more straightforward and less prone to errors, especially for multiplication and division.
Applications of Mixed Numbers
Mixed numbers are commonly used in:
- Cooking and recipes (e.g., 2½ cups of flour)
- Construction and carpentry (e.g., 3¾ inches)
- Time measurements (e.g., 2½ hours)
- Distance measurements (e.g., 5¼ miles)
- Weight measurements (e.g., 1¾ pounds)