Multiply the whole integer with the denominator in the fraction. The denominator is the number below the line which the numerator is divided by. For example, if you have start with the mixed number 4 1/2, multiply the 4 by the 2. This is the easy way to determine how many halves (or whatever the fraction is) your whole number contains.
Add the result from Step 1 with the numerator of the fraction. For example, the result from Step 1 was 8, so add the 8 to the 1 to get 9. This will show you that you have nine halves.
Place the sum of the two numerators on top of the initial denominator. This will leave you with 9/2. In other words, 4 1/2 (four and one half) is equal to 9/2 (nine halves).