How to Write the Remainder As a Fraction

A rational number can be written as a fraction with integers.
••• Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

Division of a number into another number isn't always a clean operation, and a little bit can be left over. In division, one number, called the divisor, divides another number, called the dividend, to produce a quotient. The quotient can be thought of as how many times the divisor will fit into the dividend. Often after the last fit in integer division, an amount that is less than the divisor is left, which is called the remainder. By working with the relationship that the divisor has with the remainder, you can write the remainder as a fraction.

    Divide two integers to obtain a remainder. For an example, dividing 4 into 6, or 6 ÷ 4, results in quotient of 1 and a remainder of 2.

    Write the remainder as the numerator in a fraction with the divisor as the denominator. In this example, writing the remainder over the divisor results in 2/4.

    Simplify the fraction by finding and factoring out the numerator's and denominator's greatest common factor. The greatest common factor of two numbers is the largest integer that can be divided into each without leaving a remainder, which is found by listing the factors of each number to find the greatest common factor. Concluding this example, the factors of 2 are 1 and 2, and the factors of 4 are 1, 2 and 4. The greatest common factor of each is 2, and factoring 2 out of the numerator and denominator results in 2 ÷ 2 / 4 ÷ 2, which is equal to 1/2.

Related Articles

How to Convert a Fraction to a Ratio
How to Rename a Fraction
How to Turn Improper Fractions Into Whole Numbers
How to Write the Remainder As a Whole Number
How to Get the Fraction Equivalent of a Whole Number
How to Turn the Remainder Into Fractions
How to Change Mixed Numbers Into Whole Numbers
How to Divide Rational Numbers
How to Multiply Fractions by Percentages
How to Convert a Division to a Fraction
How to Find the Line of Symmetry in a Quadratic Equation
How to Write "Three Tenths" in Standard Form
How to Divide Ratios
The Parts of a Subtraction Sentence
Multiplying Fractions
How to Write an Improper Fraction As a Whole Number
How to Convert Pounds Per Square Foot to PSI
How to Arrange Fractions in Size Order
How to Write an Equivalent Fraction With a Given Denominator
How to Find a Fraction Between Two Fractions

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!