How do you change an improper fraction to a popcorn?

Answer 1

A "popcorn process" refers to changing a mixed number to an improper fraction, e.g. 1 1/2 to 3/2.

It is so named because of the three lobes of a popped kernel, an analog to the whole number, numerator, and denominator of a mixed number.

The reverse process, changing an improper fraction to a mixed number, uses division of the numerator by the denominator, with any remainder left over the original denominator.

Examples :

- to change 3 4/5 to an improper fraction, multiply 3 times the denominator and add to 4.

3 4/5 = 15/5 + 4/5 = 19/5

- to change 19/5 to a mixed number, divide the 19 by 5, yielding 3 with a remainder of 4.

19/5 = 15/5 + 4/5 = 3 4/5

- for fractions not in simplest form, divide by the Greatest Common Factor.

39/9 = 36/9 + 3/9 = 4 3/9 = 4 1/3