Final answer:
If the numerator is greater than the denominator, the fraction can be converted into a mixed number, which contains both a whole number and a proper fraction. This involves dividing the numerator by the denominator to find the whole number and the remainder forms the proper fraction.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the numerator is greater than the denominator in a fraction, the fraction can be converted into a mixed number (a whole number and a proper fraction). To do this, you divide the numerator by the denominator to find out how many times the denominator fits into the numerator. This quotient (without the remainder) becomes the whole number part of the mixed number, and the remainder is then placed over the original denominator to form the proper fraction part of the mixed number.
For example, if you have the fraction ⅛, you would divide 15 (the numerator) by 4 (the denominator), which equals 3 with a remainder of 3. So, ⅛ can be converted to the mixed number 3 ¾.
This process can be very useful, especially when dealing with conversion factors in problems that involve units of measurement. When converting units, often the desired unit should be in the numerator to cancel out the original unit in the denominator, leaving only the desired units.