Skill: Identify mixed numbers

A mixed number has:

• a whole-number part, and
• a proper fraction part, whose numerator is less than its denominator.

For example, look at:

$$2\frac{3}{4}$$

Step 1: Find the whole-number part.
The whole-number part is $2$. It means there are 2 complete wholes.

Step 2: Find the fraction part.
The fraction part is $\frac{3}{4}$. It means 3 out of 4 equal parts of the next whole.

Step 3: Check that the fraction is proper.
Since $3<4$, $\frac{3}{4}$ is a proper fraction. Therefore, $2\frac{3}{4}$ is a mixed number.

Step 4: Locate it on a number line.
Because $2\frac{3}{4}$ has 2 wholes and part of another whole, it lies between $2$ and $3$:

$$2<2\frac{3}{4}<3$$

So, $2\frac{3}{4}$ means 2 wholes and 3 fourths of the next whole.