The sheriff caught up with
15/3 and told it, "You're being improper. Please
change into a different form so you can go about
your business in town without more bother."
Since 15/3 was a polite improper fraction, it transformed back into 5.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was improper. I'll be more careful next time," said 5. "You better keep an eye out for 7/5. I saw the creature earlier and it even got out of my way when I passed by 7/5."
5 did not realize one important thing about 7/5. It could not reduce itself any further. But it could change into a different form. 7/5 knew it had 5/5 "inside" of it. So it changed that part to 1. The left-over part was 2/5. So, 7/5 could really walk around as 1 2/5 which is called a mixed form.
"That’s OK," said the sheriff. "Mixed forms are fine, too. We’ll just refer to 7/5 as 1 2/5 when we are in mixed company."
Fractions are indeed amazing wizards of disguise. Unraveling fraction disguises is what this story is all about.
3/4 was very pleased when he saw 7/5’s new form.
Note: To review improper fractions go here.
Since 15/3 was a polite improper fraction, it transformed back into 5.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was improper. I'll be more careful next time," said 5. "You better keep an eye out for 7/5. I saw the creature earlier and it even got out of my way when I passed by 7/5."
5 did not realize one important thing about 7/5. It could not reduce itself any further. But it could change into a different form. 7/5 knew it had 5/5 "inside" of it. So it changed that part to 1. The left-over part was 2/5. So, 7/5 could really walk around as 1 2/5 which is called a mixed form.
"That’s OK," said the sheriff. "Mixed forms are fine, too. We’ll just refer to 7/5 as 1 2/5 when we are in mixed company."
Fractions are indeed amazing wizards of disguise. Unraveling fraction disguises is what this story is all about.
3/4 was very pleased when he saw 7/5’s new form.
Note: To review improper fractions go here.