Fractions

I.

Fractions
a. Definition: A fraction (also called a rational number) is a number
that represents the quotient (or division) of two integers.
a Numerator
b.
=
b Denominator
c. The denominator tells how many equal parts there are.
d. The numerator tells how many of these parts are taken or used.
e. Simplest form: A fraction is said to be written in simplest form
when there are no common factors in the numerator and
denominator. The fraction has been reduced completely.

II.

Zero

0
= 0 where c 0 .
a.
c

In other words, zero in the numerator of a

fraction yields zero for an answer as long as the
denominator does not equal zero.

c
= undefined.
0

In other words, division by zero is impossible!

b.

0
= undefined.
0
III.

Mixed Numbers & Improper Fractions

a. You can change a mixed number to an improper fraction:
b.

3
2 = 2
8

3
( 8 2 ) + 3 19
=
=
8
8
8

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Steps:
1. Multiply the denominator
by the whole number.
2. Add to the numerator.
3. The product becomes the
new numerator.
4. Denominator remains the
same.

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IV.

Multiplication and Division of Fractions

a.

1.

2 7 14
=
3 5 15

Multiply across the numerator and across the

denominator.

2 6 4
=
2.
3 5 5

You may cancel before multiplying.

b.

1.

2 7 2 5 10
= =
3 5 3 7 21

To divide, multiply by the reciprocal. DO NOT

cancel before inverting!!!

2
2 19 2 6 4
2. = =
3 6 3 19 19

V.

Equivalent Fractions
a. You may multiply of divide both numerator and denominator of a
fraction by the same non-zero number without changing the
fraction.
1.

2 7 14
14 2
= and =
3 7 21
21 3

2.

2 5 2 5 10
10 2
= = and =
3 5 3 5 15
15 3

These are Equivalent Fractions.

b. Your answer to a problem may be

2
, by the selection of answers
5

may look like:

A.

5
30

B.

13
30

C.

10
30

The correct answer is D because

D.

12
30

E.

18
30

12 2
= .
30 5

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VI.

Addition and Subtraction of Fractions

a. You may add or subtract fractions with the same denominator by
adding (or subtracting) the numerators and putting this answer
over the common denominator.
Ex)

2 1 3
+ =
5 5 5

Ex)

7 1 6 3
= =
10 10 10 5

b. To add (or subtract) fractions with different denominators you

must first find the Least Common Denominator (LCD) and convert
each fraction to an equivalent fraction whose denominator is the
LCD.
1. Definition: The LCD is the smallest number that each
denominator will divide into evenly. (The LCD is the
smallest multiple that the given denominators have in
common.)
Example Finding Common Denominators:

1 5 7
+
8 6 48
Examine each of the given denominators and
break them down into their prime factors:

8 = 2 2 2
6 = 23
48 = 2 2 2 2 3
The LCD is equal to every factor of the first
denominator multiplied by any new factor that
appears in a subsequent denominator.
LCD = 22232
We begin with
every factor of
the first
denominator.

There are 4 twos in the last

denominator and only 3 so far in
the LCD so we need one more
factor of two. The factor of 3 in the
last denominator does not need to
be repeated.

3 is a new factor from the 2nd

denominator. (The 2 of the 2nd
denominator does not have to be be
repeated since there are already 3
factors of 2.

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so our LCD is 48.

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Now that we have our LCD, lets finish the problem:

Change each of the given fractions to an equivalent fraction whose denominator
is the LCD.

1 5 7 6 40 7
+ = +
8 6 48 48 48 48
Add the equivalent fractions and reduce the answer.

6 40 7 39 13
+

=
=
48 48 48 48 16

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Practice Problems:
1.

3
(20) =
4

13.

1
3 8 =
4

2.

5 1
+ =
8 8

14.

2 4
=
3 9

3.

5 1
=
8 8

15.

2
4 =
3

4.

1 1
+ =
2 3

16.

15 3
=
16 4

5.

2
5
+2 =
5
6

17.

11 21
=
12 4

6.

5 3
+ =
8 4

18.

7.

3 1
=
4 2

19.

14
=
0

8.

5
1
4 2 =
6
3

20.

0
=
14

9.

15 7
=
16 18

21.

1
0 =
13

10.

9 3

=
7 35

22.

11.

2 3
=
3 8

23.

4 3 5
+ =
3 10 6

12.

3 1 5
=
5 3 8

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1
=
2

1
=
13

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Answers to Fractions:
1.

15

13.

26

2.

3
4

14.

3.

15.

1
6

4.

5
6

16.

5
1
or 1
4
4

5.

17.

11
63

6.

11
3
or 1
8
8

18.

14

7.

1
4

19.

Undefined.

8.

1
2

20.

9.

79
144

21.

Undefined.

10.

6
1
or 1
5
5

22.

11.

1
4

23.

24 4
=
30 5

12.

1
8

7
30

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1
2

1
13

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