Conversion a mixed number 16 3
8
to a improper fraction: 16 3/8 = 16 3
8
= 16 · 8 + 3
8
= 128 + 3
8
= 131
8
To find new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 16 by the denominator 8. Whole number 16 equally 16 * 8
8
= 128
8
b) Add the answer from previous step 128 to the numerator 3. New numerator is 128 + 3 = 131
c) Write previous answer (new numerator 131) over the denominator 8.
Sixteen and three eighths is one hundred thirty-one eighths
Conversion a mixed number 9 5
8
to a improper fraction: 9 5/8 = 9 5
8
= 9 · 8 + 5
8
= 72 + 5
8
= 77
8
To find new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 9 by the denominator 8. Whole number 9 equally 9 * 8
8
= 72
8
b) Add the answer from previous step 72 to the numerator 5. New numerator is 72 + 5 = 77
c) Write previous answer (new numerator 77) over the denominator 8.
Nine and five eighths is seventy-seven eighths
Subtract: 131
8
- 77
8
= 131 - 77
8
= 54
8
= 2 · 27
2 · 4
= 27
4
For adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions, it is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal, identical) denominator. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of the both denominators - LCM(8, 8) = 8. In practice, it is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 8 × 8 = 64. In the next intermediate step cancelling by a common factor of 2 gives 27
4
.
In words - one hundred thirty-one eighths minus seventy-seven eighths = twenty-seven quarters.
