Explain changing 5(2/3) to an improper function.

Let's look at the mixed fraction 5 and
2/3.

This number represents 5 whole items, and some other
parts.  We can use straws to help us see what this really means.  You will need 6 straws
to complete this example.  If you don't have straw to use, you can just draw them on a
piece of paper.

What is it called when we divide anything
into 3 equal parts? (thirds)

Cut each of the 5 straws into
3 equal parts. How many straw parts do we have?  (15).

Lay
the straws out so that they resemble the way they looked before you cut them.  How many
whole straws are there? (5)

Take another straw and cut it
into 3 equal parts.

If we add 2 of the 3 parts to the 15
straw parts that look like the original 5 straws, how many straw parts would we have in
all? (17).

Each straw part represents what part of the
whole straw? (1/3)

So we can say that there are 17 straw
pieces that each represent 1/3 of a straw.

We write the
improper fraction like this: 17/3.

So 17/3 is the improper
fraction that equals 5 (2/3).