To determine the number of fourths there are in 4 1/4. Remember that 1+1+1+1 equals 4. Each of the 1's can be written as 1/4+1/4+1/4+1/4. And because 1 = 4 1/4's. Then 4 1's = 16 1/4's. But remember these 16 1/4's are only for the number 4. You must also add the one more 1/4. Altogether there are 17 1/4's present. An easier way to think of this is to convert 4 1/4's into an improper fraction. To determine the number of fourths or 1/4's are present in 4 1/4.
