Convert 4.5 to an improper fraction.
Understand the Problem
The question is asking how to express the decimal number 4.5 as an improper fraction. This involves converting the decimal part into a fraction and combining it with the whole number part.
Answer
The improper fraction for 4.5 is $\frac{9}{2}$.
Answer for screen readers
The improper fraction for the decimal number 4.5 is $\frac{9}{2}$.
Steps to Solve
- Separate Whole Number and Decimal Part
Identify the whole number part and the decimal part of the number 4.5.
The whole number part is 4, and the decimal part is 0.5.
- Convert Decimal Part to Fraction
Convert the decimal part (0.5) into a fraction.
Since 0.5 is equal to $\frac{5}{10}$, we can simplify it to:
$$ 0.5 = \frac{1}{2} $$
- Combine the Whole Number and Fraction
Now combine the whole number part (4) with the fraction ($\frac{1}{2}$).
To do this, express 4 as a fraction with the same denominator (2):
$$ 4 = \frac{4 \times 2}{2} = \frac{8}{2} $$
- Add the Two Fractions
Now add the two fractions:
$$ \frac{8}{2} + \frac{1}{2} = \frac{8 + 1}{2} = \frac{9}{2} $$
Thus, the improper fraction for the decimal number 4.5 is:
$$ \frac{9}{2} $$
The improper fraction for the decimal number 4.5 is $\frac{9}{2}$.
More Information
When converting decimals to fractions, it can be helpful to remember the base-ten system. Each digit after the decimal represents a power of ten. Furthermore, improper fractions like $\frac{9}{2}$ are those where the numerator is greater than the denominator.
Tips
- Confusing 0.5 with other fractions. Always double-check how to convert decimals to fractions correctly.
- Forgetting to convert the whole number into a fraction with a common denominator before adding.
