A mixed number is a number that includes both a whole number and a fraction. It represents a quantity that is greater than 1 but is written with separate whole and fractional parts.
Example:
2 ¾ means 2 whole parts and ¾ of another whole.
Mixed Numbers in Real Life
Mixed numbers are commonly used in real life. For example:
- Measurements (e.g., 5 ½ feet tall)
- Time (e.g., 1 ¾ hours)
- Cooking (e.g., 2 ⅓ cups of flour)
Measurement
Mixed numbers help us measure things that are between whole numbers.
For example, a person might be 4 ¾ feet tall, which means they are a little taller than 4 feet but not quite 5 feet.
Time
We use mixed numbers to tell time when something takes more than one hour but less than the next whole hour.
For example, a movie might last 1 ½ hours, which means it is 1 full hour plus 30 more minutes.
Cooking
Recipes use mixed numbers to show exact amounts of ingredients.
If a recipe needs 1 ½ cups of milk, that means you need 1 whole cup plus half of another cup.
Practice Problems
Which of the following is a mixed number?
Explanation: A mixed number has both a whole number and a fraction. 4 ½ is the only choice that fits this definition. The other options are fractions greater than 1 or proper fractions.
Emma made 1 ⅓ trays of brownies for a bake sale. How many thirds of a tray is this in total?
Liam filled a measuring cup with 1 ¾ cups of water. How much more water does he need to reach 2 cups?
