Improper fractions and mixed numbers, can anyone explain how to please???

[Blossomhill]

ds has this for homework (year 5) and I am stuck
Just doesn't make sense

So first example is 11 3/4, change to improper fraction?

and 16/5 change to mixed numbers.

If anyone can show us how to work out those 2 much appreciated

11 3/4 to improper fraction means change iot to a fraction where th top no is bigger than the bottom - so 11 into quarters = 44 qaurters, plus the 3 you had already = 47/4

16/5 into mixed no means how many whole no.s, plus how many 5ths left over

so 16/5 = 3, and 1/5

11 expressed as quarters is 11x4 /4 ie. 44/4
so 11 3/4 = 44+3 / 4 = 47/4
16/5 16 divided by 5 = 3 and 1 left over ie 3 1/5

The easiest way to understand is to draw it out. For 11 and 3/4 do the following:

1. Draw 11 circles
2. Divide each circle into 4 (why? - becuase you are dealing with quarters. How do you know they are quarters? - look at the bottom number of the fraction - in this case 3/4 (see the 4))
3. COunt up how many quarters you have in your 11 whole circles - it should be 44
4. Now you have to add the extra 3/4 which makes 44+3 = 47

This is called an improper fraction becuase the top number is bigger then the bottom number

for 16/5 - this is the opposite process to 11 3/4 draw it out again

1. Draw out 16 pieces - any shape you like
2. Put a circle round them in groups of 5( why in groups of 5 - becuase the bottom number of the fraction is 5 - which means there are 5 pieces that make up each whole one)
3. How many whole groups do you have - you should have 3
4. How many pieces are not in a group - there should be one

This means you have 3 whole ones and 1/5th. This is a mixed number becuase it is a whole number and a fraction.

Hope this helps
Lucy

Thanks Panda, LIZS and scoggins (your idea really helped)
What would I do without mumsnet xx