FRACTIONS

Fractions – is part of a whole numbers, or denominator indicates the total number of parts into which the
whole is divided. The top number, or numerator, indicates how many of the total parts are consider.

Types of Fractions:
a. Proper Fractions – are fractions in which the value of the numerator is less than the denominator.
4 7 2
Examples: , ,
5 15 34
b. Improper Fractions – are fractions in which the value of the numerator is greater than the value of the
denominator.
5 16 9
Examples: , ,
2 7 4
c. Mixed Number – are combinations of a whole number and a proper fraction.
3 1 2
Examples: 4 ,1 , 6
4 2 3
d. Complex Fractions – are fraction in which the numerator, the denominator, or both may be a whole number,
proper fractions or mixed number.
2 4
1
4 3 5
Examples: , ,
1 5 1
2 8 3

REDUCING A FRACTION TO LOWEST TERM.

 To reduce a fraction to lowest terms, divided both the numerator and denominator by the greatest common factor
(GCF).
18 18 ÷ 6 3
Examples: = =
24 24 ÷ 6 4
CHANGING MIXED NUMBERS TO IMPROPER FRACTIONS.
Examples:
1 2 ×6+ 1 12+1 13
 6 =
2 2
=
2
=
2
2 5 ×3+ 2 15+2 17
 3 =
5 5
=
5
=
5

CHANGING IMPROPER TO MIXED NUMBER.

Examples:
17 2
 3
=5
3
23 3
 4
=5
4
Like and Unlike Fractions:
I. Like Fractions – the denominator of the fractions is “equal” or “same”.
5 1 6÷2 3
Examples: + = =
8 8 8÷2 4
II. Unlike Fractions – the denominator of the fractions is “different”.
1 4 13 3
Examples: + = =1
2 5 10 10
1.Cross Multiply 2 3

ADDING FRACTIONS.
To add fractions there are Three Simple Steps:
 If the denominators are the same
Step 1: The bottom numbers (the denominators) are already the same. Go straight to step 2.
Step 2: Add the top numbers and put the answer over the same denominator:
Step 3: Simplify the fraction (if needed)

1 1 1+1 2 1
Examples: + = = =
4 4 4 4 2
 If the denominators are the different
1 1
Examples: +
3 6
Step 1: We need to make them the same before we can continue, because we can't add them like that.

The number "6" is twice as big as "3", so to make the bottom numbers the same we can
multiply the top and bottom of the first fraction by 2, like this:

Important: you multiply both top and bottom by the same

amount, to keep the value of the fraction the same.

Step 2: Add the top numbers and put them over the same
denominator:
2 1 2+1 3
Examples: + = =
6 6 6 6
Step 3: Simplify the fraction (if needed)
3 1
Examples:  =
6 2
Adding Mixed Fractions:
3 1
Examples: 2 +3 =?
4 2

Step 1: convert them to Improper Fractions

 3 11
2 =
4 4
1 7
3 =
2 2
Common denominator of 4:

Step 2: then add them (using Addition of Fractions)

11 14 25
+ =
4 4 4
Step 3: then convert back to Mixed Fractions
25 1
=6
4 4

SUBSTRACTING FRACTIONS.
To subtracting fractions there are Three Simple Steps:
 If the denominators are the same
Step 1: The bottom numbers (the denominators) are already the same. Go straight to step 2.
Step 2: Subtract the top numbers and put the answer over the same denominator
Step 3: Simplify the fraction (if needed)
 
3 1 3−1 2 1
      Examples:  − = = =
4 4 4 4 2
 If the denominators are the different
1 1
Examples: −
2 6
Step 1: We need to make them the same before we can
continue, because we can't subtract them like that.

To make the bottom numbers the same, multiply the top

and bottom of the first fraction (1/2) by 3 like this:
And now our question looks like this:
3 1
−
6 6
Step 2. Subtract the top numbers and put the answer
over the same denominator:
3 1 3−1 2
− = =
6 6 6 6
Step 3: Simplify the fraction (if needed)
2 1
=
6 3
Subtracting Mixed Fractions:
 3 5
Examples: 15 +8 =?
4 ❑
Step 1: convert them to Improper Fractions
3 63
15 =
4 4
5 53
8 =
6 6
Common denominator of 12:
63 189
becomes
4 12
53 106
becomes
6 12
Step 2: Now Subtract:
189 106 83
− =
12 12 12

Step 3: then convert back to Mixed Fractions

83 11
=6
12 12

MULTIPLYING FRACTIONS.
To multiplying fractions there are Three Simple Steps:
Step 1: Multiply the top numbers (the numerators).
Step 2: Multiply the bottom numbers (the denominators).
Step 3: Simplify the fraction if needed.

DIVIDING FRACTIONS.
To dividing fractions there are Three Simple Steps:
Step 1: Turn the second fraction (the one you want to divide by) upside down (this is now a reciprocal).
Step 2: Multiply the first fraction by that reciprocal
Step 3: Simplify the fraction (if needed)