Mixed Numbers & Top Heavy Fractions (CIE IGCSE Maths: Core)

What are mixed numbers & top heavy fractions?

• A mixed number has a whole number (integer) part and a fraction part

  eg.  has the whole number 3 and the fraction , meaning “three and three quarters”

• A top heavy fraction – also called an improper fraction – is one with the top (numerator) bigger than the bottom (denominator)

  eg.  means “fifteen quarters”

Turning mixed numbers into top heavy fractions

1. Multiply the whole number by the denominator (big × bottom)
2. Add that value to the numerator 
3. Write the "new" numerator over the same denominator as before 

Turning top heavy fractions into mixed numbers

• Divide the top by the bottom (to get a whole number and a remainder)
• The whole number is the big number
• The fraction part is the remainder over the denominator