Definition:Rational Number/Fraction/Improper

From ProofWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Definition

An improper fraction is a rational number whose absolute value is greater than $1$, specifically when expressed in the form $r = \dfrac p q$ where $p$ and $q$ are integers such that $p > q$.


Examples

$\dfrac 3 2$ is an improper fraction.
$\dfrac {-5} 4$ is an improper fraction.
$\dfrac {16} {10}$ is an improper fraction, although not in canonical form.


$1 \frac 1 2$ is not an improper fraction: it is in fact a mixed number.


Also known as

An improper fraction is also known informally as a top-heavy fraction.


Also see


Linguistic Note

The word improper has evolved to mean rude or offensive, or even invasive (of privacy, personal space or sexual integrity).

Stand-up comedians may wish to take the opportunity to riff on why language hates fractions so much, that they are either improper or merely vulgar.


Sources

Retrieved from "https://proofwiki.org/w/index.php?title=Definition:Rational_Number/Fraction/Improper&oldid=602504"