How to Turn a Mixed Fraction Into a Decimal

Use a calculator to find a decimal equivalent of a fraction.

A mixed fraction is made up of a whole number and a fraction. For example, "8 1/4" is a mixed fraction. To convert a mixed fraction into a decimal, two options are available. First, place the whole number to the side and convert the fraction, and then add the resulting decimal to the whole number. Second, convert the mixed fraction into an improper fraction -- where the top number is bigger than the bottom number -- and then convert the improper fraction into a decimal.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Paper
• Calculator

Instructions

Option One

1. Write down the fraction part of the mixed fraction. For example, if your mixed fraction is "8 1/4," write down "1/4."

2. Divide the top number of the fraction by the bottom number. Use a calculator. For example, if your fraction is 1/4, divide 1 by 4. The result in our example is 0.25.

3. Add the whole number from the mixed fraction to the decimal. In this example, 8 would be added to 0.25. The result is 8.25, which is equal to the original fraction, 8 1/4.

Option Two

1. Multiply the fraction's bottom number by the whole number. For example, if the mixed fraction is 8 1/4, multiply 4 by 8. The result is 32.

2. Add the result from Step 1 with the top number of the fraction. For example, if the result was 32, add 32 to 1. The result will be 33. Place this number on top of the fraction. The result is 33/4, which is equal to 8 1/4.

3. Divide the top number of the improper fraction by the bottom number. For example, if the improper fraction is 33/4, divide 33 by 4. The result is 8.25, which is the decimal equivalent of 8 1/4.

References

• University of Regina: Mathcentral -- Change a Mixed Fraction into a Decimal

Resources

• Math League: Fractions