How is a whole number combined with a fraction referred to?

A whole number combined with a fraction is referred to as a mixed number. A mixed number consists of an integer and a proper fraction, such as 3 1/2, which includes the whole number 3 and the fraction 1/2. This term is used specifically to distinguish it from other types of fractions, such as improper fractions, which have numerators larger than or equal to their denominators, or proper fractions, which have numerators smaller than their denominators.

In a mixed number, both the whole part and the fractional part work together to represent a value that lies between two consecutive whole numbers. The representation is useful in everyday contexts, such as cooking, construction, or measurements, where precise values that are not whole numbers are often used. Understanding mixed numbers is essential for working with fractions in various mathematical contexts.