Convert 20/6 to a mixed number.
Understand the Problem
The question is asking to convert the improper fraction 20/6 into a mixed number format, which involves dividing the numerator by the denominator to identify the whole number and the remaining fraction.
Answer
$3 \frac{1}{3}$
Answer for screen readers
The mixed number form of the improper fraction $\frac{20}{6}$ is $3 \frac{1}{3}$.
Steps to Solve
- Divide the Numerator by the Denominator
Start by dividing the numerator (20) by the denominator (6) to determine the whole number part of the mixed number. $$ 20 \div 6 = 3 $$ This means the whole number part is 3.
- Calculate the Remainder
Next, find the remainder of the division. This can be done by multiplying the whole number (3) by the denominator (6) and then subtracting this product from the numerator (20). $$ 20 - (6 \times 3) = 20 - 18 = 2 $$ Now we have a remainder of 2.
- Form the Mixed Number
With the whole number and the remainder, we can now create the mixed number. The remainder becomes the numerator of the fractional part, while the denominator stays the same. The mixed number is: $$ 3 \frac{2}{6} $$
- Simplify the Fraction if Necessary
The fractional part $\frac{2}{6}$ can be simplified by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD), which is 2. $$ \frac{2 \div 2}{6 \div 2} = \frac{1}{3} $$ Thus, the final mixed number is: $$ 3 \frac{1}{3} $$
The mixed number form of the improper fraction $\frac{20}{6}$ is $3 \frac{1}{3}$.
More Information
Converting improper fractions to mixed numbers can help make them easier to understand and work with, especially in applications like cooking or measurements where we often prefer mixed numbers.
Tips
- Forgetting to simplify the fraction after obtaining the mixed number. Always check whether the fractional part can be reduced.
- Miscalculating the remainder during division, which can lead to an incorrect mixed number format.
