Mixed number

number written as sum of integer and proper fraction

A mixed number (also called a mixed fraction) is a number which contains a whole number and a fraction added together. For instance 1 ½, in words "one and a half", is the same as 1 + ½, or "one plus one half." It is another way of writing 3/2 or "three over two" or "three halves", which is an improper fraction. Both ways of writing the number are correct.

The image is of 3 3/4 circles, which is a mixed number. If you were to write the number of circles as an improper fraction instead, it would be 15/4, or "fifteen quarters."

Examples change

Mixed number in plain text Mixed number in math notation Mixed number in words Equivalent improper fraction Equivalent decimal Picture Picture description
1 1/2   One and a half 3/2 1.5   The picture shows 1 ½ circles shaded in grey.
3 3/4   Three and three quarters 15/4 3.75   The picture shows  circles shaded in grey.