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Reducing The Fraction Answer: Example 2
Reducing The Fraction Answer: Example 2
Reducing The Fraction Answer: Example 2
+ =
+ =
Then reduce:
+ =
Example 1: If we have the fraction 2/3, we can multiply the top and bottom by 2, and not change
its value: (2/2) x (2/3) = 4/6 Then if we reduce 4/6, we still get the original number, 2/3
Example 2: If we have the fraction 2/3, we could multiply top and bottom by 5, and not change
its value: (5/5) x (2/3) = 10/15. Then if we reduce 10/15, we still get the original number, 2/3.
Why does this work? Because any number divided by itself equals one. 2/2 = 1, 5/5 = 1, etc.
And any number multiplied by 1 equals itself! The point is, you don't change the value of a
fraction if you multiply its top and bottom numbers by the same number!
Adding Fractions with DIFFERENT denominators
You can only add together fractions which have the same denominator, so you must first change
one or both of the fractions so that you end up with two fractions having a common denominator.
The easiest way to do this, is to simply select the opposite fraction's denominator to use as a top
and bottom multiplier.
Example 1: Say you have the fractions 2/3 and 1/4
Select the denominator of the second fraction (4) and multiply the top and bottom of the first
fraction (2/3) by that number:
x =
Select the denominator of the first fraction (3) and multiply the top and bottom of the second
fraction (1/4) by that number:
x =
These two fractions (8/12 and 3/12) have common denominators - the number 12 on the bottom
of the fraction.
Add these two new fractions together:
+ =
x =
Select the denominator of the first fraction (5) and multiply the top and bottom of the second
fraction (2/7) by that number
x =
These two fractions (21/35 and 10/35) have common denominators -- the number 35 on the
bottom of the fraction.
We can now add these two fractions together, because they have common denominators:
+ =
=
-
=
-
Then reduce:
=
- ?
Then subtract:
=
-
x =
Select the denominator of the first fraction (3) and multiply the top and bottom of the second
fraction (1/4) by that number:
x =
These two fractions (8/12 and 3/12) have common denominators - the number 12 on the bottom
of the fraction.
Subtract, using these two new fractions:
=
-
Select the denominator of the first fraction (5) and multiply the top and bottom of the second
fraction (2/7) by that number
x =
These two fractions (21/35 and 10/35) have common denominators -- the number 35 on the
bottom of the fraction.
We can now subtract, because the two new fractions have a common denominator:
=
-
Multiplication
Method 1 - (for beginners) Just multiply the numerators (top numbers), and the denomominators (bottom
numbers), and place the resulting answers in their respective top / bottom location in the answer fraction.
Then reduce the fraction, if possible Example 1:
Simple fraction multiplication
x =
x =
Then reduce:
=
x =
?
Then multiply:
x =
Method 2 - (for anyone who understands the above concept). Before multiplying
the numerators and denominators, look for ways to pre-reduce the fractions, both
within each fraction, and across the fractions.
Example 1: Pre-reducing within a fraction
x =
?
First reduce the 2/4 to 1/2, then multiply the numerators (top numbers), and the denominators
(bottom numbers), and place the resulting answers in their respective top / bottom location in the
answer fraction. Then reduce the fraction, if possible.
x = x =
x =
?
Here we divide the first numerator (5) by the second denominator (5), before multiplying the
numerators (top numbers), and the denomominators (bottom numbers).
x = x =
This method has the advantage of allowing the use of smaller numbers in the calculation process.
Division
Example 1: Simple fraction division
÷ =?
Invert the 1/2, creating 2/1, then multiply numerators and denominators to find the answer:
x = =
÷ =?
x =
An improper fraction has a numerator that is greater than or equal to its denominator.