Definition of Fraction

A fraction is a "part" of a "whole". It is also a ratio between two integers separated by a solidus (/) or
a vinculum ( __ ). The upper part of a fraction is called a numerator and the lower part is called a
denominator.

Below are examples of fractions:

1/2,6/7,7/8,4/3,1/10,11/5

Terms to remember
Dividend A number or quantity that is being divided.

Divisor A number or quantity that divides another

quantity.

Equivalent Being essentially equal.

Integer A positive or negative whole number.

Ratio A relationship between two or more numbers.

Reciprocal Multiplicative inverse of a quantity.

Similar Having the same characteristics.

Simplify To make simpler or reduce complexity.

Unlike Having different characteristics.

 Whole Either a zero (0) or a counting number.
Number

Similar and Unlike Fractions

Similar (Like) fractions are fractions with same denominators. On the other hand, dissimilar (Unlike)
fractions are fractions with different denominators.

Fractions with same denominators (bottom numbers).

Examples:
SIMILAR FRACTION
`1/6` , `5/6` , `13/6` , `19/6`

Fractions with different denominators (bottom numbers).

UNLIKE Examples:
FRACTION
`2/9` , `7/8` , `14/25`, `26/4`

Similar Fraction Examples

Example 1:

Are `5/11` and `8/11` similar fractions?

Example 2:

Are `2/5` and `5/2` similar fractions?

Example 3:

Are `1/4` and `6/8` unlike fractions?

How to convert unlike fractions into similar fractions

Step 1
Find LCM (least common multiple) of the denominators.

Step 2:
Convert the fractions to equivalent fractions with denominators equal to the LCM.

Example 1:

Convert the below unlike fractions into similar fractions.  

`1/4` and `3/8`

Equivalent Fractions
Equivalent fractions are fractions that have the same value but have different numerators and
denominators.

Equivalent Fraction Examples

Example 1:

Is 12151215 equal to 4545?
 Yes
Explanation:
Reducing 12151215 to lowest terms;
1215=2×2×33×5=451215=2×2×33×5=45
Example 2:

Are 912912 and 12181218 equal?
 No
Explanation:
Reducing 912912 to lowest terms;
912=3×32×2×3=32×2=34912=3×32×2×3=32×2=34
Reducing 12181218 to lowest terms;
1218=2×2×32×3×3=231218=2×2×32×3×3=23
Since 3434 and 2323 are not equal, therefore 912912 and 12181218 are not equal.
Example 3:

Find the equivalent fraction of 5858 which has a denominator of 2424?

 15241524
Explanation:
Multiplying the fraction by 3333 in order to get a denominator of 2424:
58×33=152458×33=1524
Therefore, 15241524 is the equivalent fraction of 5858 which has a denominator of 2424.
Example 4:

What is the equivalent fraction of 2929 which has a numerator of 88?

 836836
Explanation:
Multiplying the fraction by 4444 in order to get a numerator of 88:
29×44=83629×44=836
Therefore, 8/36 is the equivalent fraction of 2/9 which has a numerator of 8.

How to find equivalent fractions:

Multiplying the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same nonzero whole
number will change that fraction into an equivalent fraction, but it will not change its value.
Equivalent fractions may look different, but they have the same value. Let's look at some
more examples of equivalent fractions.

For Example : to find equivalent fraction of 2323 we multiply both numerator and
denominator by 2 then we get equivalent fraction 4646 .

How to check two fractions are Equivalent fraction:

Simplify all fractions. If they reduce to be the same fraction, then the fractions are equivalent

For example : we will check the fractions fractions 615615 and 10501050 are equivalent.

we will simplify both the fractions-

615615= 2⋅35⋅32⋅35⋅3=2525

10501050= 2⋅52⋅5⋅52⋅52⋅5⋅5=1515

the fractions 2525 and 1515 are not same, hence fractions are not equivalent

How to reduce Fractions to Lowest Terms

A fraction is in its lowest or simplest term when the numerator and denominator have no common
factors other than 1. We achieve this by dividing the numerator and denominator by its Greatest
Common Factor (GCF), also called the Greatest Common Divisor (GFD).
Examples

Problem 1:

Reduce 18271827 to its lowest term.

 2323
Explanation:
Find the factors of 1818 and 2727.
Now we reduce the fraction by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their
greatest common factor, that is, 99.

1827=231827=23

2323 is in its lowest form since 22 and 33 have no common factors other than 11.

Problem 2:

Reduce 36563656 to its lowest term

 914914
Explanation:
Find the factors of 3636 and 5656.

Now we reduce the fraction by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their
greatest common factor, that is, 44.

3656=9143656=914

914914 is in its lowest form since 99 and 1414 have no common factors other than 11.

Problem 3:

Reduce 55665566 to its lowest term.

 5656
Explanation:
Find the factors of 55 and 6666.
 Now we reduce the fraction by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their
greatest common factor, that is, 1111.

55/66=5/6

5656 is in its lowest form since 55 and 6have no common factors other than 11.

Proper, Improper and Mixed Fractions

There are three types of fractions:

  Proper fraction - where the numerator is less than the denominator

  Improper fraction - where the numerator is greater than the denominator
  Mixed fraction - consists of a whole number and a proper fraction

Types of Fraction

Examples:
2323 , 3434 , 1414 , 5858
PROPER
FRACTION Click for more examples

Examples:
12851285 , 29152915 , 35123512
IMPROPER
FRACTION Click for more examples
 Examples:
413413 , 582210582210 , 69206920
MIXED
FRACTION Click for more examples

Steps to convert improper fraction into mixed number

Proper Fraction

A fraction in which numerator is less than denominator is called proper fraction, means a fraction
that is less than 1.
Example 1:

Is 127127 a proper fraction.

 No
Explanation:
Since 12 > 7 , Hence 127127 is not a proper fraction.
Example 2:

Is 3838 a proper fraction.

 Yes
Explanation:
Since 3 < 8 , Hence 3838 is a proper fraction.
Example 3:

Is 1414 a proper fraction.

 Yes
Explanation:
Since 1 < 4 , Hence 1414 is a proper fraction.
Example 4:

Is 14151415 a proper fraction.

 Yes
Explanation:
Since 14 < 15 , Hence 14151415 is a proper fraction.
Example 5:

Is 4545 a proper fraction.

 Yes
Explanation:
Since 4 < 5 , Hence 4545 is a proper fraction.

Improper Fraction

A fraction in which numerator is greator than or equal to denominator is called proper fraction,
means a fraction that is greator than or equal to 1.
Example 1:

Is 4343 a improper fraction.

 Yes
Explanation:
Since 4 > 3 , Hence 4343 is a improper fraction.
Example 2:

Is 114114 a improper fraction.

 Yes
Explanation:
Since 11 > 4 , Hence 114114 is a improper fraction.
Example 3:

Is 7777 a improper fraction.

 Yes
Explanation:
Since numerator and denominator of the fraction are equal , Hence 7777 is a improper
fraction.

Mixed Fraction

A mixed number is a fraction that includes both whole number and a proper fraction.
Example 1:

Is 4343 a mixed number.

 Yes
Explanation:
Divide the numerator by the denominator.
11

33  44

  33

  11
The whole number is the quotient which is 1.
The numerator of the mixed number is the remainder which is 1.
The denominator remains to be 3.
Therefore, 4343 in mixed number form is 113113
Example 2

Is 9494 a mixed number.

 Yes
Explanation:
Divide the numerator by the denominator.
22

44  99
  88
   11
The whole number is the quotient which is 2.
The numerator of the mixed number is the remainder which is 1.
The denominator remains to be 4.
Therefore, 9494 in mixed number form is 214214
Example 3:

Is 825825 a mixed number.

 Yes
Explanation:
Divide the numerator by the denominator.
1616

55  8282

  8080

  22
The whole number is the quotient which is 16.
The numerator of the mixed number is the remainder which is 2.
The denominator remains to be 5.
Therefore, 825825 in mixed number form is 16251625

  Steps for Converting

Improper Fraction into Mixed Number
   Divide the numerator by the denominator.

For Example : Convert 5454 to mixed Number

11

44  55

  44
   11
   Use the quotient as the whole number.

in our example quotient is 1.

   Use the remainder as the numerator of the proper fraction.

in our example remainder is 1.

   The denominator will stay the same.

in our example denominator is 4.

Hence the required mixed number is 114114

Mixed Number into Improper Fraction

  Multiply the whole number by the denominator.

For Example : Convert 214214 to improper fraction

In our example whole number is 2 and denominator is 4
hence 2 x 4 = 8

  Add the product to the numerator of the proper fraction. The sum is the numerator of the
improper fraction.

Here numerator is 1

adding numerator and product we get, 
numerator= 8 + 1= 9

  The denominator will stay the same.

denominator = 4
Hence the improper fraction is 9494

Proper, Improper & Mixed Fraction Examples

Example 1:

Change 115115 into a mixed fraction

 215215
Explanation:
Divide the numerator by the denominator.
22

55  1111

  1010

  11
The whole number is the quotient which is 2.
The numerator of the mixed number is the remainder which is 1.
The denominator remains to be 5.
Therefore, 115115 in mixed number form is 215215
Example 2:

Change 334334 into improper fraction?

 154154
Explanation:
Multiply the whole number by the denominator.
3 x 4 = 12
Add the product to the numerator of the proper fraction.
12 + 3 = 15
The numerator of the improper fraction is 15.
The denominator remains to be 4.
Therefore, improper fraction form for 334334 is 154

How to Subtract Fractions

Just like with addition, subtracting fractions having similar denominators will just subtract the
numerators and remain the denominator. Also similar with the case of fractions having unlike
denominators, the least common denominator (LCD) should be get first then change the fractions
into equivalent fractions with the LCD as the denominator. But these conditions are only applicable if
the fractions are not mixed numbers.
 Methods for subtracting Two or More Mixed Numbers
First Method
 Convert the mixed number into an improper fraction.

 If the proper fractions have unlike denominators, get the LCD and change the fractions into
equivalent fractions using the LCD as the denominator.

 Subtract the numerators and remain the LCD as the denominator.

  Reduce to lowest terms.

Second Method
  If the larger mixed number has a smaller proper fraction than the smaller mixed number,
subtract the whole number of the larger mixed fraction by 1 and add 1 to the proper fraction.

  By adding 1 to the proper fraction, it will become a mixed number. The new larger mixed
number will be a whole number added by a mixed number with 1 as the whole number.

  Change the mixed number (with 1 as the whole number) into an improper fraction.

  Subtract the whole number of the smaller mixed number from the whole number of the
new larger mixed number.

 If the proper fractions have similar denominators, subtract the numerators directly and
remain the denominator as it is. But if the proper fractions have unlike denominators, get the
LCD and change the fractions into equivalent fractions using the LCD as the denominator
then subtract the numerators and remain the LCD as the denominator.  Reduce to lowest
terms. 

Note:   
The second method is only applicable when the larger mixed number has a smaller proper
fraction than the smaller mixed number.
Fraction Subtraction Examples
Example 1:

Solve 47−1747-17?
 3737

Explanation:
The fractions have similar denominators.
Subtract the numerators directly and remain the denominator as it is.
47−17=4−17=3747-17=4-17=37
Therefore, 47−17=3747-17=37
Example 2:

Solve 910−35910-35?
 310310
Explanation:
The fractions have unlike denominators.
Finding the LCD;
5 = 5

10 =2×5

LC
D =2×5 = 10

Converting the fractions into equivalent fractions with 10 as the denominator;

910×11=910910×11=910
35×22=61035×22=610
Since the fractions have similar denominators, subtract the numerators and remain the LCD
as it is.
910−35=910−610=9−610=310910-35=910-610=9-610=310
Therefore, 910−35=310910-35=310
Example 3:

Solve 534–212534–212?
 134or314134or314
Explanation:
Convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions.
534=(5×4)+34=20+34=234534=(5×4)+34=20+34=234
212=(2×2)+12=4+12=52212=(2×2)+12=4+12=52
Finding the LCD;
2 = 2

4 =2×2

LC
D =2×2 = 4

Converting the proper fractions into equivalent fractions with 4 as the denominator;
234×11=234234×11=234
52×22=10452×22=104
Since the fractions have similar denominators, subtract the numerators and remain the LCD
as it is.
534–212=234−52=234−104=23−104=134or314534–212=234-52=234-104=23-
104=134or314
Therefore, 534–212=314534–212=314
Example 4:

Solve 313–123313–123?
 53or12353or123
Explanation:
The mixed numbers have similar proper fractions.
The larger mixed number has a smaller proper fraction than the smaller mixed number.
Transforming the larger mixed number;
313=2+1+13=2+113=243313=2+1+13=2+113=243 Subtract the whole numbers and
subtract the fractions.
313−123=243−123=(2–1)+(43−23)=123313-123=243-123=(2–1)+(43-23)=123
Therefore, 313−123=123

How to Multiply Fractions

Multiplication of fractions is easier as compared to addition and subtraction of fractions: just multiply
the numerators and multiply the denominators of the fractions. In the case of mixed numbers, you
must convert the mixed number into an improper fraction before multiplying. Reduce the product to
lowest terms as much as possible.

Fraction Multiplication Examples

Example 1:

Solve 49×3849×38?
 1616
Explanation:
Multiply the numerators and multiply the denominators.
49×38=4×39×8=127249×38=4×39×8=1272
Reducing the product to lowest terms;
1272=2×2×32×2×2×3×3=12×3=161272=2×2×32×2×2×3×3=12×3=16
Therefore, 49×38=1649×38=16
Example 2:

Solve 112×223112×223?
 4
Explanation:
Convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions.
112=(1×2)+12=2+12=32112=(1×2)+12=2+12=32
223=(2×3)+23=6+23=83223=(2×3)+23=6+23=83
Multiply the improper fractions.
112×223=32×83=246=4112×223=32×83=246=4
Therefore, 112×223=4

How to Divide Fractions

Division of fraction involves multiplication of the dividend with the reciprocal of the divisor. The
numerator of the dividend is multiplied by the denominator of the divisor and this constitutes the
numerator of the quotient. The denominator of the dividend is multiplied by the numerator of the
divisor and this constitutes the denominator of the quotient. Similar to multiplication of fractions,
mixed numbers should be converted into improper fractions first and also reduced the quotient to
lowest terms as possible.

Fraction Division Examples

Example 1:

Solve 25÷41525÷415?
 3232
Explanation:
The dividend is 2/5 and the divisor is 415415.
Multiply the dividend by the reciprocal of the divisor.
25×154=302025×154=3020
Reduce the quotient to lowest terms;
3020=2×3×52×2×5=323020=2×3×52×2×5=32
Therefore, 2/5 ÷ 4/15 = 3/2
Example 2:

Solve 7 1/2 ÷ 3 3/4?

 22
Explanation:
The dividend is 712712 and the divisor is 334334.
Convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions.
712=(7×2)+12=14+12=152712=(7×2)+12=14+12=152
334=(3×4)+34=12+34=154334=(3×4)+34=12+34=154
The dividend is 152152 and the divisor is 154154.
Multiply the dividend by the reciprocal of the divisor.
152×415=6030152×415=6030
Reduce the quotient to lowest terms.
6030=2×2×3×52×3×5=26030=2×2×3×52×3×5=2
Therefore, 712÷334=2712÷334=2