Skill: Identify mixed numbers

A mixed number has:

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

For example, consider:

$$3\frac{2}{5}$$

Step 1: Identify the whole-number part.
The number $3$ means three whole units.

Step 2: Identify the fractional part.
The fraction $\frac{2}{5}$ means each whole is divided into $5$ equal parts, and $2$ of those parts are counted.

Step 3: Put the parts together.
So,

$$3\frac{2}{5}=3+\frac{2}{5}$$

It means three wholes and two-fifths of another whole. The two parts are added, not multiplied. On a number line, $(3\frac{2}{5})$ is between $3$ and $4$, two-fifths of the way from $3$ to $4$.