Note. It is often much easier to add and subtract mixed numbers without converting to improper fractions. Changing to improper fractions increases the number of computations and makes many problems harder to simplify.
Example. Compute 
two ways: as mixed numbers and as improper fractions
As mixed numbers
Find the common denominator.
Change to a mixed number.
As improper fractions
Change to an improper fraction.
Find the common denominator.
Change to a mixed number.
The multiplying and dividing of the large values greatly increases the chance of error. Also, if the fractions needed to be simplified, the simplification with the large values would be much more difficult when using the improper fractions method.
Why did 
go to the psychiatrist? Click here to see the a
nswer.
Hint: one-fifth is equivalent to ____________ which sounds like ________________.
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Date last modified: June 1, 2010.
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By Kris Montis and Timothy Peil