By an operation the reverse of that in the last article, a given mixed number (a whole number and fraction) can be put into the form of an improper fraction.

This is done by multiplying-the whole number by the denominator of the fraction, the product being the numerator of a fraction equal in value to the whole number; the denominator of this fraction being the same as that of the given fraction. The numerator of this fraction being added to the numerator of the given fraction, the sum will be the numerator of the required improper fraction, the denominator of which is the same as that of the given fraction. For example, the required numerator for -

2 1/3,

is

2

X

3

+

1

=

7.

So

2 1/3

=

7/3.

2 1/4,

is

2

X

4

+

1

=

9.

So

2 1/4

=

9/4.

3 2/5,

is

3

X

5

+

2

=

17.

So

3 2/5

=

17/5.