Chapter 2

Fractions

McGraw-Hill/Irwin ©2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, All Rights Reserved

#2 Fractions
Learning Unit Objectives
LU2.1 Types of Fractions and Conversion
Procedures
1. Recognize the three types of fractions
2. Convert improper fractions to whole or
mixed numbers and mixed numbers to
improper fractions
3. Convert fractions to lowest and highest
terms
2-2
#2 Fractions
Learning Unit Objectives
LU2.2 Adding and Subtraction of Fractions
1. Add like and unlike fractions
2. Find the least common denominator
(LCD) by inspection and prime numbers
3. Subtract like and unlike fractions
4. Add and subtract mixed numbers with
the same or different denominators

2-3
#2 Fractions
Learning Unit Objectives
LU2.3 Multiplying and Dividing Fractions

1. Multiply and divide proper fractions and

mixed numbers
2. Use the cancellation method in the
multiplication and division of fractions

2-4
 Types of Fractions

Proper
Numerator

1, 1, 1, 4, 18 Proper fractions have a

4 2 12 7 55 value less than 1; its
numerator is smaller
than its denominator.

Denominator

2-5
 Types of Fractions

Improper
Numerator
Improper Fractions
have a value equal to or 14, 7, 15, 22
greater than 1; its 14 6 14 19
numerator is equal or
greater than its
denominator.
Denominator

2-6
 Types of Fractions

Mixed numbers are the sum of a

whole number greater than zero
and a proper fraction

Mixed Numbers

5 1, 5 9, 8 7, 33 5, 139 9
6 10 8 6 11

2-7
 Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper
Fractions Mixed Numbers
3 Steps
1. Multiply the denominator of the 61
fraction by the whole number. 8
2. Add the product from Step 1 to (8 x 6) = 48
the numerator of the old
fraction.
3 Place the total from Step 2 over (8 x 6) = 48
the denominator of the old 48 + 1 = 49
fraction to get the improper
fraction.
49
8

2-8
 Reducing Fractions to Lowest
Terms by Inspection

Find the lowest whole 24 = 24 / 6 = 4

number that will divide 30 30 / 6 5
evenly into the
numerator and
denominator

2-9
 Finding the Greatest Common Divisor

Step 1. Divide the 24 1

numerator into the 30 24 30
denominator 24
6
Step 2. Divide the 4
remainder in Step 1 into 6 24
the divisor of Step 1 24
Step 3. Divide the 0
remainder of Step 2 into
the divisor of Step 2. 24 / 6 = 4
Continue until the 30 / 6 5
remainder is 0
2-10
 Adding Like Fractions
• Add the numerators
and place the total over
the denominator
• If the total of your numerators is the
same as your original denominator, convert
1 +4 = 5 your answer to a whole number; if the total
is larger than your original denominator,
7 7 7 convert your answer to a mixed number

5 +6 = 11 = 1 2 -
9 9 9 9 b

2-11
 Least Common Denominator (LCD)
• The smallest nonzero
whole number into
which ALL 3 + 5
7 21
denominators will
divide evenly.
7

What is the least 42

common
denominator? 21

2-12
 Adding Unlike Fractions
4 Steps

1. Find the LCD

2. Change each fraction to a like fraction with the 1 1 1 1
LCD. + + +
3. Add the numerators and place the total over the 3 8 9 12
LCD.
4. If necessary, reduce the answer to lowest terms.

24 + 9 + 8 + 6 = 47
72 72 72 72 72

2-13
 Subtracting Like Fractions

• Step 1 - Subtract the

numerators and place
the total over the
denominator
• Step 2 - If necessary,
reduce the answer to
lowest terms
9 - 1= 8 / 2 =4
10 10 10 / 2 5

2-14
 Subtracting Unlike Fractions

Step 1. Find the LCD

Step 2. Raise the fraction to its equivalent value.

Step 3. Subtract the numerators and place the answer

5 - 2
over the LCD.
8 64
Step 4. If necessary, reduce the answer to lowest terms.

5 40
8 64
- 2 - 2
64 64
38 = 19
64 32

2-15
 Subtracting Mixed Numbers

When Borrowing is Not Necessary

Step 1. Subtract fractions, making sure to

find the LCD.
61 64
Step 2. Subtract whole numbers. 2 8
Step 3. Reduce the fractions to lowest terms. -3 - 3
8 8
61
8

2-16
 Subtracting Mixed Numbers

When Borrowing is Necessary

Step 1. Make sure the fractions have the LCD.

31 32 26
Step 2. Borrow from the whole number.

Step 3. Subtract whole numbers and fractions. 2 4 4

Step 4. Reduce the fractions to lowest terms. -1 3 -1 3 -1 3
4 4 4
3
14

2-17
 Multiplying Proper Fractions

Step 1. Multiply the

numerator and the 5 x 1 x 4 = 20 = 10
denominators 1 6 7 42 21
Step 2. Reduce the answer to
lowest terms

2-18
 Multiplying Mixed Numbers

Convert the mixed Multiply the

numbers to numerator and
improper fractions denominators

Reduce the
1
answer to
lowest terms
1 1 7 3 7 31
2 X 1 = X = =
3 2 3 2 2 2
1
2-19
 Dividing Proper Fractions
Invert (turn
upside down) Multiply the
the divisor (the fractions
second fraction)

Reduce the
answer to
lowest terms
1 . 2 = 1 X3 = 3
8
. 3 8 2 16
2-20
 Dividing Mixed Numbers

Convert all mixed

numbers to Invert the divisor
improper fractions and multiply

Reduce the
answer to
lowest terms
3 X 5 35 6 105 = 3 3
8 2 = X =
4 6 4 17 34 34
2-21