Student

Learning
Centre Rules for fractions
ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION
To add or subtract fractions they must have the same denominator (the bottom value).

Addition and Subtraction with the same denominators

If the denominators are already the same then it is just a matter of either adding or subtracting the numerators (the top
value).

34 + 24 = 3+2 = 5
Addition ���� + ���� = ��������+�������� Example
4

Subtraction ���� − ���� = ��������−�������� Example 34 − 24 = 3−2 = 1

4

Addition and Subtraction with different denominators

If the denominators are different then a common denominator needs to be found. This is most easily done by creating a
common denominator that is the product of the two differing denominators. To achieve this multiply the denominator and
the numerator of each fraction by the opposite denominator. This is actually the same as multiplying 1 and so we aren’t
really changing anything.

���� + ���� = �������� + �������� = ���������������+��������������� Example 35 + 23 = 35((33)) + 23((55)) = 9+10 =

19
Addition 15 15

Subtraction ���� − ���� = �������� − �������� = ���������������−��������������� Example 23 − 35 = 32 55 − 33

=
10−9
=
1
53 15 15

MULTIPLICATION

8 4
Example: 47 × 26 = 42
To multiply fractions simply multiply the nominators ��������
���� × ���� = =
and multiply the denominators:
a
��������� 21

DIVISION

���� ÷ ���� = ���� × Example: 23 ÷ 47 = 23 × 74 = 1412 = 76

To divide one fraction by another we must flip the ���� = ��������
second fraction and then multiply with the first: ��������

PRACTICE

1) 27 + 43 = 2) 34 × 56 =

3) 127 ÷ 23 = 4) 127 − 38 =

Check your answers on the back.

Rules of Fractions 5/2013 @ SLC 1 of 2
 Student Rules for fractions
Learning
#
Centre
Explanation Workings Answer

1.
Before you can add or subtract, the fractions should have the 27 + 43 = 27(33) + 43(77) =34
same bottom number – a Common Denominator. 21

× 6 = 34××6 5= 1524
Multiply the bottom numbers and multiply the top numbers. 3
2. =5
Then simplify the fraction by cancelling by 3 4 8

Turn the second fraction upside down and multiply. 21 and 24 7 2 7 3 7×3
÷ =21
3.
have a common factor of 3, so divide top and bottom by 3. 12 3 = 12 × 2 = 12×2
24

7 3 14 9
Before you can add or subtract, the fractions should have the 12
− 8 = 24 − 24
5
4.
same bottom number – a Common Denominator. =
24

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Rules of Fractions 5/2013 @ SLC 2 of 2