A mixed numeral (also called a mixed fraction or mixed number) is a traditional denotation of the sum of a non-zero integer and a proper fraction (having the same sign). It is used primarily in measurement: {\displaystyle 2{\tfrac {3}{16}}}{\displaystyle 2{\tfrac {3}{16}}}inches, for example. Scientific measurements almost invariably use decimal notation rather than mixed numbers. The sum is implied without the use of a visible operator such as the appropriate "+". For example, in referring to two entire cakes and three quarters of another cake, the numerals denoting the integer part and the fractional part of the cakes are written next to each other as {\displaystyle 2{\tfrac {3}{4}}}2{\tfrac {3}{4}}instead of the unambiguous notation {\displaystyle 2+{\tfrac {3}{4}}.}{\displaystyle 2+{\tfrac {3}{4}}.} Negative mixed numerals, as in {\displaystyle -2{\tfrac {3}{4}}}-2{\tfrac {3}{4}}, are treated like {\displaystyle -(2+{\tfrac {3}{4}}).}{\displaystyle -(2+{\tfrac {3}{4}}).} Any such sum of a whole plus a part can be converted to an improper fraction by applying the rules of adding unlike quantities.