Fractions Lesson 1

FRACTION
S
How do we know that two fractions are the same?
we cannot tell whether two fractions are the same until
we reduce them to their lowest terms.
A fraction is in its lowest terms (or is reduced) if we

cannot find a whole number (other than 1) that can divide
into both its numerator and denominator.
Examples:
6 is not reduced because 2 can divide into

10 both 6 and 10.
35 is not reduced because 5 divides into

40 both 35 and 40.
How do we know that two fractions are the
same?
More examples:
110 is not reduced because 10 can divide into

260 both 110 and 260.
8
is reduced.
15
11
is reduced
23
To find out whether two fraction are equal, we need to

reduce them to their lowest terms.
same?
Examples:
Are 14 and equal?

30 45
21
14 reduce 14  7 2 21
 7 3
21
30 reduce
30  5 6 reduce 63 2
45 45  5 9 9  3 3
Now we know that these two fractions are actually

the same!
same?
Another example:
24 30
Are 40
and 42
equal?
24 reduce 24  2 12 reduce 12  4 3
40 40  2  20  4 
20 5
30 reduce 30  6 5
42 42 6 7
This shows that these two fractions are not the same!
Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers
An improper fraction is a fraction 5

with the numerator larger than or
equal to the denominator. 3
Any whole number can be

4 7
transformed into an improper 4  1, 1 7
fraction.
A mixed number is a whole 3

number and a fraction together 27
An improper fraction can be converted to a mixed

number and vice versa.
Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers
Converting improper fractions into

mixed numbers:
5 2
- divide the numerator by the 1
denominator
- the quotient is the leading number,
- the remainder as the new numerator.
3
7 3 3 11 1
More examples: 1 , 
42 4 5 5
Converting mixed numbers

3 273
into improper fractions. 2  
17
How does the denominator control a
fraction?
If you share a pizza evenly among two

people, you will get 1
2
If you share a pizza evenly among three

people, you will get
1
3
If you share a pizza evenly among four

people, you will get
1
4
How does the denominator control a
fraction?
If you share a pizza evenly among eight

people, you will get only 1
8
It’s not hard to see that the slice you get
becomes smaller and smaller.
Conclusion:
The larger the denominator the smaller the pieces,
and if the numerator is kept fixed, the larger the
denominator the smaller the fraction,
Examples:
2 2 2
Which one is larger, or ? Ans
7 5 : 5
8 8
Which one is larger, or 8 ? Ans
23 : 23
25
41
Which one is larger, 41 or 41 ? Ans
135 : 135
267
How does the numerator affect a
fraction?
Here is 1/16 ,
here is 3/16 ,
here is 5/16 ,
Do you see a trend?

Yes, when the numerator gets larger
we have more pieces.
And if the denominator is kept fixed,
the larger numerator makes a bigger
fraction.
Examples
:
7 7
12 : 12
12
8 13
Which one is larger, or
13 Ans
20 20 ? : 20
45 63
100 : 100
100
Comparing fractions with different numerators
and different denominators.
In this case, it would be pretty difficult to tell just from
the numbers which fraction is bigger, for example
3 5
8 12
This one has less pieces This one has more pieces
but each piece is larger but each piece is smaller
than those on the right. than those on the left.
3 5
8 12
The FIRST WAY to answer this question is to change the

appearance of the fractions so that the denominators are the
same.
In that case, the pieces are all of the same size, hence the
larger numerator makes a bigger fraction.
The SECOND WAY to find a common denominator is to
multiply the two denominators together:
3 3  12 36 and 5 58
   
8 8  12 96 40
Now it is easy to tell that 5/12 is actually a bit bigger than 3/8.
12 12  8 96
A more efficient way to compare fractions
Which one is larger, From the previous example, we see that we don’t
really have to know what the common denominator
7 5
or ? turns out to be, all we care are the numerators.
11 8 Therefore we shall only change the numerators by
cross multiplying.
7 5
11 8
7 × 8 = 56 11 × 5 = 55
Since 56 > 55, we see that 7


5
11 8and make sure that you
This method is called cross-multiplication,
remember to make the arrows go upward.
Addition of Fractions
- addition means combining objects in two or

more sets
- the objects must be of the same type, i.e. we
combine bundles with bundles and sticks with
sticks.
- in fractions, we can only combine pieces of the
same size. In other words, the denominators
must be the same.
Addition of Fractions with equal denominators
Example: 18  38
+ =
?
Click to see animation

Example: 18  38
+ =
Example: 18  38
+ =
The answer is (1 83) which can be simplified to 21

More examples
2 1 3
 
5 5 5
6 7 13
  
6 8
  3
1
14
10 10 10 10
15 15 15
Addition of Fractions with
different denominators
In this case, we need to first convert them into equivalent

fraction with the same denominator.
Example: 1 2

An easy choice 3for a common denominator is 3×5 = 15

5
1 1 5 5 2 23 6
   
3 3 5
15 5 5 3
15
Therefore, 1  2  5  6  11
3 5 15 15
Addition of Fractions with
different denominators
You have to multiply the two denominators together, antd

that number would be your COMMON DENOMINATOR
for both fractions.
REMEMBER: If you amplified the denominator you must

also multiply the denominator by the same number.
More Exercises:
3 1 3 2 6 1 6 1 7
 =   
1 =
8 8 = 8 8
34 28 43 72 82 
 =  = 21  10 = 2110  31
35 35
5 35
5 7 5 7 7  35
5 = 45  24
54 54
5 4 5 9 4  =
 =  45  24 69 15
 1
6
54 54
6 9 69 9 54
Adding Mixed Numbers
1 3 1 3
Example: 3 2 3 2
5 5 5 5
1

3
3  2  
5
5
1 3
5
5
4
5
5
Adding Mixed Numbers
Another Example:
4 3 4 3
2 1  2  1
7 8 7 8
4 3
 2 1 
7 8
48
3 56
3 7
53  3 53
 3  56 56
Subtraction of Fractions
- subtraction means taking objects away.

- the objects must be of the same type, i.e. we
can only take away apples from a group of
apples.
- in fractions, we can only take away pieces of
the same size. In other words, the denominators
must be the same.
Subtraction of Fractions with equal denominators
Example: 11  3
12 12
3 from 11
This means to take away
12 12
11
12
take
awa
y
(Click to see animation)

Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
11
12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Example: 11 3
12  12
3 from 11
12 12
Now you can see that there are only 8 pieces left,
therefore
11 3 11 3
 
12 12 12
Subtraction of Fractions
More examples:
15 7 15  7 8 1
   
16 16 16 16 2
6 4 69 47 54 28 54  28 63
      
26
77 119 7 63 763 23 1110
779239 1110 63 161110
10  23  10  23 2310  10  230
 23
51

Did you get all the answers right? 230
Subtraction of mixed numbers
This is more difficult than before, so please take notes.
Example: 3 1 1
4  1 2
Since 1/4 is not enough to be subtracted by 1/2, we better
convert all mixed numbers into improper fractions first.
1 1 3 4 1 1 2 1
3 4  12  4 
2
13 3
 
74 3 2
 1
13 6
 4 

Fractions Lesson 1

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Fractions Lesson 1

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FRACTION

A fraction is in its lowest terms (or is reduced) if we

6 is not reduced because 2 can divide into

35 is not reduced because 5 divides into

110 is not reduced because 10 can divide into

To find out whether two fraction are equal, we need to

Are 14 and equal?

Now we know that these two fractions are actually

An improper fraction is a fraction 5

Any whole number can be

A mixed number is a whole 3

An improper fraction can be converted to a mixed

Converting improper fractions into

Converting mixed numbers

If you share a pizza evenly among two

If you share a pizza evenly among three

If you share a pizza evenly among four

If you share a pizza evenly among eight

Do you see a trend?

The FIRST WAY to answer this question is to change the

Since 56 > 55, we see that 7

- addition means combining objects in two or

Click to see animation

The answer is (1 83) which can be simplified to 21

In this case, we need to first convert them into equivalent

An easy choice 3for a common denominator is 3×5 = 15

You have to multiply the two denominators together, antd

REMEMBER: If you amplified the denominator you must

- subtraction means taking objects away.

(Click to see animation)

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