Sandra said that mixed numbers cannot be less than one because they always have a whole number, but that improper fractions can be less than one. Is she correct? Explain.

Answer 1

Sandra is incorrect. Mixed numbers can definitely be less than one. A mixed number consists of a whole number and a fraction, with the whole number indicating how many whole units are present and the fraction indicating the portion of a unit.

For example, the mixed number 3 1/2 represents 3 whole units and 1/2 of a unit. Since 1/2 is less than 1, the mixed number 3 1/2 is also less than 4 (which is the sum of the whole number and the fraction).

Improper fractions, on the other hand, have a numerator that is greater than or equal to the denominator. While improper fractions can also be less than one (for example, 3/4 is less than 1), it is not accurate to say that mixed numbers cannot be less than one.