diff --git a/src/qrules/particle.py b/src/qrules/particle.py
index 175bdba0..cb382963 100644
--- a/src/qrules/particle.py
+++ b/src/qrules/particle.py
@@ -120,10 +120,9 @@ def _repr_pretty_(self, p: PrettyPrinter, _: bool) -> None:
 
 
 def _render_fraction(fraction: Fraction, plusminus: bool = False) -> str:
-    string_representation = str(fraction)
     if plusminus and fraction.numerator > 0:
-        return f"+{string_representation}"
-    return string_representation
+        return f"+{fraction}"
+    return str(fraction)
 
 
 def _to_parity(value: Parity | int) -> Parity:
diff --git a/src/qrules/quantum_numbers.py b/src/qrules/quantum_numbers.py
index cdf124fb..b3ce208c 100644
--- a/src/qrules/quantum_numbers.py
+++ b/src/qrules/quantum_numbers.py
@@ -58,10 +58,9 @@ def __repr__(self) -> str:
 
 
 def _float_as_signed_str(value: float, render_plus: bool = False) -> str:
-    string_representation = str(value)
     if value > 0 or render_plus:
-        return f"+{string_representation}"
-    return string_representation
+        return f"+{value}"
+    return str(value)
 
 
 @frozen(init=False)