In elementary school, we learned about improper fractions. Should we call them that? Is it even possible for any kind of number to be IMPROPER? They are simply fractions greater than one. I’ve recently heard the term fraction form used, and ever since I’ve made a point of saying that fractions greater than one are in fraction form.

On Twitter, I’ve found a few people who also don’t like using the word improper to describe any fraction.

This first tweet has a link explaining why it is improper to use the term improper fraction:

Whether it is an improper fraction or mixed number, terminology in maths matters just as much as it does in English, writes Kevin O’Brien https://t.co/B9ZuQThUqf

— Tes (@tes) January 21, 2019

I always wanted to analyze the "behavior" of any fraction that was called improper! Should this fraction receive some sort of penalty for their deeds? Seriously, knowing their equivalence and when one form may be more appropriate use-wise, is the issue: whether 5/4; 1 1/4 or 1.25

— F. (Skip) Fennell (@SkipFennell) January 8, 2019

Yes!! And I will add "goes into" "Just add a zero" "One point zero" and "improper fractions" https://t.co/vjCblm3LKY

— Cathy Marks Krpan (@CathyMarksKrpan) October 20, 2017

Sometimes we have to take matters into our own hands. Rethinking the term “improper fraction”, using language that helps students to make sense of the math. @gfletchy #MTBoS #ITeachMath #ElemMathChat pic.twitter.com/5mauKmELBl

— Trish Kepler (@KeplerTrish) January 17, 2019

In my 3rd grade class we had a conversation about the term "improper" and how it doesn't fit the fraction. The kids all agreed that fractions can have many different representations and there's nothing "improper" about that. They were super cute.

— Tara Minton (@TaraMinton2) January 26, 2019

Agreed. Lots of kids don't think improper fractions are fractions. So call them what they are, fractions greater than one. The term "improper fraction" hides information and adds negative value.

— Bowen Kerins 🔗 (@bowenkerins) January 27, 2019

Then again, my students come to me already afraid of improper fractions. Of course my preference would be to *not* have to spend time undoing that damage.

— DeLaina Ellis (@dellis5th) January 26, 2019

Does the term ‘improper fraction’ lead to misunderstanding?Does it suggest that a /real/ fraction is less than 1?My goal is to use the term ‘rename’ rather than ‘convert’. We aren’t changing anything but the way it looks. #TVDSBmath pic.twitter.com/jlKKx8uN7l

— Trish Adams (@MrsAdamsPJ) January 27, 2019

I hope that you will consider not labeling any fraction as improper, as well!

Now I’ll write a little bit about the number 1366:

• 1366 is a composite number.
• Prime factorization: 1366 = 2 × 683
• The exponents in the prime factorization are 1 and 1. Adding one to each and multiplying we get (1 + 1)(1 + 1) = 2 × 2 = 4. Therefore 1366 has exactly 4 factors.
• Factors of 1366: 1, 2, 683, 1366
• Factor pairs: 1366 = 1 × 1366 or 2 × 683
• 1366 has no square factors that allow its square root to be simplified. √1366 ≈ 36.95944

1366 is also the sum of the twenty-six prime number from 5 to 107. Do you know what all those prime numbers are?