Conversion a mixed number 2 1/
2
to a improper fraction: 2 1/2 = 2 1/
2
= 2 · 2 + 1/
2
= 4 + 1/
2
= 5/
2
To find new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 2 by the denominator 2. Whole number 2 equally 2 * 2/
2
= 4/
2
b) Add the answer from previous step 4 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 4 + 1 = 5
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 5) over the denominator 2.
Two and one half is five halfs
Divide: 5/
2
: 5/
8
= 5/
2
· 8/
5
= 5 · 8/
2 · 5
= 40/
10
= 10 · 4/
10 · 1
= 4
Dividing two fractions is the same as multiplying the first fraction by the reciprocal value of the second fraction. The first sub-step is to find the reciprocal (reverse the numerator and denominator, reciprocal of 5/
8
is 8/
5
) of the second fraction. Next, multiply the two numerators. Then, multiply the two denominators. In the next intermediate step , cancel by a common factor of 10 gives 4/
1
.
In words - five halfs divided by five eighths = four.
