What is an improper fraction?

An improper fraction is a fraction whose top number is greater than or equal to its bottom number, so it is worth one whole or more. It is sometimes called a top-heavy fraction. It can be rewritten as a whole number or a mixed number.

Examples

• 7/4 is improper and equals 1 3/4.
• 5/5 is improper and equals 1.
• 9/2 equals 4 1/2.

Quick facts

• A proper fraction is less than one; an improper fraction is one or more.
• Divide the numerator by the denominator to turn it into a mixed number.