7 Change the following improper fractions to mixed numbers. \( 18 / 4 \)

To convert the improper fraction \( \frac{18}{4} \) into a mixed number, you start by dividing the numerator (18) by the denominator (4). This gives you 4 with a remainder of 2, because \( 4 \times 4 = 16 \) and \( 18 - 16 = 2 \). Hence, \( \frac{18}{4} \) is equivalent to \( 4 \frac{2}{4} \). Since \( \frac{2}{4} \) can be simplified to \( \frac{1}{2} \), the final mixed number is \( 4 \frac{1}{2} \). Now you've turned a fraction that might seem overwhelming into a simple mixed number, which can make it easier to visualize and use in real-life tasks, like cooking or dividing items! For instance, if you’re sharing a cake with friends and have 18 slices, knowing that each friend can get 4 whole pieces plus a half piece helps gauge how to distribute them fairly.