An improper fraction is when the Numerator (Above the line) is larger than the Denominator (Below the Line). The Denominator "Denotes" how many parts make a whole.
For Example, 11 / 5 if written out would be 11 on top of the line and 5 below the line.
Since the Denominator is a "5" it tells us to make a whole you only need 5 bits. So you start counting.
1/5, 2/5, 3/5, 4/5, 5/5 = 1 ( as you need 5/5 parts to make a whole)
6/5 = (1 and 1/5), 7/5 = (1 and 2/5), 8/5 = (1 and 3/5), 9/5 = (1 and 4/5), 10/5 = 2
11/5, = 2 and 1/5.
If I had 17/5 (Improper fraction) and I wanted to convert it into a mixed fraction.
I would look at the Denominator (Bottom Number { 5 } and Divide it into the Numerator (Top Number { 17 } and find that I can divide 5 into 17 three times, with 2 left over or as said as a mixed number 3 and 2/5
For another example, If I was at a birthday party and I had cut 4 cakes into 5 equal parts. I would have 20 Pieces or 20/5 since each slice is 1/5 and there are 20 slices. So there must be 4 cakes.
Hope this has helped you.
