Fundamentals of Mathematics Engr. Khrisna Mae C.

Gelogo, ECE, LPT

Unit 6: FRACTIONS
• Fractions are rational numbers which could not be 5
b. Change 4 to improper fraction
6
expressed as integers. 5 (6 • 4) + 5 24 + 5 29
• It is made up of two parts: the numerator (top) and the 4 = = =
denominator (bottom). 6 6 6 6
• It is divided into the two parts using a fraction line or To change an improper fraction to a mixed number:
fraction bar. 1. Divide the numerator by the denominator.
• The numerator indicates or tells the number of parts taken 2. The quotient is the whole number.
from the whole. 3. The remainder will be the numerator using the same
• The denominator indicates or tells into how many parts the denominator.
whole is divided.
To illustrate: Examples:
In the figure, the circle is divided into four a. Change
12
to a mixed number
(4) parts which is our denominator. In 7
the same figure, 3 parts are shaded or 12 5
= 1
taken from the whole which is our 7 7
numerator. For this specific example,
our fraction is ¾.

Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) or Greatest Common 35

Factor (GCF) b. Change to a mixed number
9
- The GCD or GCF of two given numbers is the greatest 35 8
or largest number that divides the two given numbers = 3
9 9
with remainder of zero

Least Common Multiple (LCM) or Least Common

Denominator (LCD) B. SIMPLIFYING FRACTIONS
- The least or smallest number which is a multiple of each • A fraction is simplified if it is reduced to its lowest term.
of the two given numbers. • A fraction can be simplified by using the Greatest
- It can also be thought of as the least or smallest number Common Factor (GCF) for both the numerator and
that is divisible of both of the given numbers. denominator or finding the prime factors of both
numerator and denominator.
A. PROPER AND IMPROPER FRACTIONS
• Proper Fraction – a fraction where the numerator is Examples:
smaller than the denominator 4
2 1 5 9
a. Simplify
6
Examples: , , , Find the GCF of 4 and 6. The GCF is 2, so divide both
5 3 6 11
numerator and denominator by 2.
• Improper Fraction – a fraction where the numerator is 4 4÷2 𝟐
larger than the denominator = =
6 6÷2 𝟑
7 4 8 18
Examples: , , ,
5 3 6 11
Using the prime factors of the numerator 4 which are 2
and 2 and the denominator 6 which are 2 and 3, we can
• Mixed Number – the sum of a whole number and a proper
simplify the fraction by cancelling out the common
fraction
2 2 1 4 factors.
Examples: 1 , 3 , 4 , 2 4 2•2 𝟐
5 3 6 7
= =
6 2•3 𝟑
An improper fraction can be changed to a mixed number and
a mixed number can be changed to improper. 16
b. Simplify
28
GCF = 4
To change a mixed number to improper fraction: 16 16 ÷ 4 𝟒
1. Multiply the denominator by the whole number. = =
2. Add the numerator to the product of number 1. 28 28 ÷ 4 𝟕
3. Copy the same denominator.
or
Examples: 16 2 • 2 • 2 • 2 𝟒
1 = =
a. Change 3 to improper fraction 28 2•2•2 𝟕
2
1 (2 • 3) + 1 6 + 1 7
3 = = =
2 2 2 2
Fundamentals of Mathematics Engr. Khrisna Mae C. Gelogo, ECE, LPT
50
c. Simplify
35 5 (16 ÷ 16) • 5 1 • 5 5
GCF = 5 → = =
50 50 ÷ 5 𝟏𝟎 16 16 16 16
= =
35 35 ÷ 5 𝟕 E. ORDERING FRACTIONS
Symbols used to compare fractions:
or
50 2 • 5 • 5 𝟏𝟎 Greater than (>)
= = Lesser than (<)
35 5•7 𝟕 Equals or “is equal to” (=)
C. EQUIVALENT FRACTIONS • Fractions maybe ordered from smallest to highest or from
• Fractions having the same lowest or simplified terms. biggest to smallest.
5 3 7 12 • If fractions have the same denominators, the numerator
Examples: , , , will determine the smaller of bigger fractions. The
10 6 14 24
When these fractions are simplified, they are all equal to: fraction with a bigger numerator is bigger than (greater
5 𝟏 7 𝟏 than) the fraction with the smaller numerator.
= =
10 𝟐 14 𝟐 Examples:
3 𝟏 12 𝟏 8 4 2 1
= = > > >
6 𝟐 24 𝟐 9 9 9 9
5 3 7 12
Therefore: , , , are equivalent fractions. 5 3 1
10 6 14 24 > >
4 4 4
D. SIMILAR AND DISSIMILAR FRACTIONS
• Similar Fractions – fractions having the same • When the numerator of two or more fractions are equal,
denominators. the denominator determines the smaller or bigger
5 1 7 13 fraction. A fraction with a smaller denominator is bigger
Examples: , , , than (greater than) the fraction with the bigger
8 8 8 8
denominator.
• Dissimilar Fractions – fractions having different Examples:
denominators. 2 2 9 9
5 3 7 12 > >
Examples: , , , 3 5 4 7
10 6 14 24

To change dissimilar fractions to similar fractions: • When the fractions have different numerators and
1. Find the LCD (Least Common Denominator) or the LCM denominators, change them to similar fractions and
(Least Common Multiple) of the given dissimilar compare.
2 3
fractions. Example: 𝑎𝑛𝑑 LCD = 20
5 4
2. For each fraction, divide the LCD by the denominator and 2 8 8 15
the quotient is multiplied by the numerator. = <
5 20 20 20
3. The result of Step 2 is the numerator, then copy the LCD 3 15 15 8
as the denominator. = >
4 20 20 20
Examples:
1 3 5
a. Show , , as similar fractions
2 4 3
LCD = 12 Check your progress:
1 (12 ÷ 2) • 1 6 • 1 6 I. Change the following improper fractions to mixed
→ = = numbers.
2 12 12 12 24 36
1) 4)
13 8
3 (12 ÷ 4) • 3 3 • 3 9 2)
12
5)
70
→ = = 5 20
4 12 12 12 58
3)
15
5 (12 ÷ 3) • 5 4 • 5 20
→ = = II. Change the following mixed numbers to improper
3 12 12 12
fractions.
3 1 5 4 1
b. Show , , as similar fractions 1) 3 4) 9
8 2 16 7 3
1 7
LCD = 16 2) 5 5) 25
6 10
3 (16 ÷ 8) • 3 2 • 3 6 4
→ = = 3) 12
8 16 16 16 5

1 (16 ÷ 2) • 1 8 • 1 8
→ = =
2 16 16 16
 Fundamentals of Mathematics Engr. Khrisna Mae C. Gelogo, ECE, LPT
III. Simplify the following fractions. Examples:
100 15 9 3 6 3
1) 4) a. − = =
120 255 10 10 10 5
140 25
2) 5)
210 35 5 4 1
430 b. − =
3) 6 6 6
480

Subtraction of dissimilar fractions:

IV. Compare the fractions by using <, > or =.
1 7 14 20 1. Find the LCD and express the fractions as similar
1) ___ 4) ___ fractions and subtract.
8 8 21 30
12 12 13 5 2. Always remember to express the answer in its simplest
2) ___ 5) ___
5 8 6 7
3 8 form.
3) ___ Examples:
11 11
5 1 5 2 3 1
a. − = − = =
F. ADDITION OF FRACTIONS 6 3 6 6 6 2
Addition of similar fractions: LCD = 6
1. Add the numerator and copy the same denominator. 9 1 18 13 5
2. Always remember to express the sum in its simplest form. b. − = − =
13 2 26 26 25
Examples: LCD = 26
1 3 4
a. + =
5 5 5
Subtraction of mixed numbers:
4 2 1 7 1. Subtract the whole numbers first and then the fraction
b. + + = part.
9 9 9 9
2. Or, change the mixed numbers to improper fraction and
Addition of dissimilar fractions: perform the operation.
1. Find the LCD and express the fractions as similar Examples:
fractions and add the fractions. 3 1 2 1
a. 5 − 3 = 2 = 2
2. Always remember to express the sum in its simplest form. 4 4 4 2
Examples: 5 3 2
1 3 5 4
a. + + = + + = 𝑜𝑟 1
9 10 23 11 b. 18 − 10 = 8
7 7 7
3 4 6 12 12 12 12 12
LCD = 12
or change to improper fraction:
1 3 1 12 45 20 77 17
b. + + = + + = 𝑜𝑟 1 3 1 23 13 10 2 1
5 4 3 60 60 60 60 60 c. 5 − 3 = − = =2 =2
LCD = 60 4 4 4 4 4 4 2

5 3 131 73 58 2
Addition of mixed numbers: d. 18 − 10 = − = =8
7 7 7 7 4 7
1. Add the whole numbers first and then the fraction part.
2. Or, change the mixed numbers to improper fraction and Subtraction of mixed numbers but with different
perform the operation. denominators:
Examples: 1. Change the dissimilar fractions into similar fractions.
1 3 4 1
a. 2 + 1 = 3 𝑜𝑟 3 2. Subtract the whole numbers first, then the fraction part.
8 8 8 2
3. Or, change the mixed numbers to improper fraction and
2 1 4 3 7 1 1 perform the operation.
b. 5 + 3 = 5 + 3 = 8 = 8 + 1 = 9 Examples:
3 2 6 6 6 6 6
1 4 5 32 40 5 32
a. 16 − 1 = 16 − 1 = 15 + − 1
8 5 40 40 40 40 40
45 32
or change to improper fraction: = 15 −1
40 40
13
1 3 17 11 28 4 1
= 14
40
c. 2 + 1 = + = = 3 𝑜𝑟 3 LCD = 40
8 8 8 8 8 8 2
32
2 1 17 7 34 21 55 1
Since the numerator of the subtrahend( 1 ) is greater than
40
d. 5 + 3 = + = + = 𝑜𝑟 9 5
3 2 3 2 6 6 6 6 the minuend ( 16 ), borrow one from the 16 (whole
40
40 5 45
number) and rename as 1 = and then add to to get .
40 40 40
G. SUBTRACTION OF FRACTIONS
Subtraction of similar fractions:
1. Subtract the numerators and copy the same denominator.
2. Always remember to express the answer in its simplest
form.
Fundamentals of Mathematics Engr. Khrisna Mae C. Gelogo, ECE, LPT
Subtraction of a mixed number from a whole number: 36 14 5 1 1
6) − 9) 8 − 2 + 3
37 37 6 3 4
1. Change the whole number to a mixed number and 2 1 5
subtract. 7) 28 − 6 10) 86 − 34
3 3 6
2 3
2. Or, change the mixed numbers to improper fraction and 8) 216 − 160
9 4
perform the operation.
Examples:
3 4 3 1 II. Perform the operations.
a. 15 − 10 = 14 − 10 = 4 3 4 3 6
4 4 4 4 1) × 6) ÷
8 5 7 14
10 7 3 9
1 8 1 7 2) ×2 7) ÷
b. 28 − 3 = 27 − 3 = 24 21
7
15 5
1
10
15
8 8 8 8
3) 8 × 8) 3 ÷
16 6 16
H. MULTIPLICATION OF FRACTIONS 4 1 3 2
4) (−1 ) × (−2 ) 9) ÷ 4
1. Multiply the numerators to get the numerator of the 5 3 8 3
6 7 1 8 3 9
product. 5) ( × ) ( × ) 10) 10 ÷
7 8 4 9 4 14
2. Multiply the denominators to get the denominator of the
product. III. Solve the following problems.
3. Express the product in its simplest form. 3
1) Paolo can paint 8 ft. of fence in an hour. How many
• If one of the factors is a mixed number, change it to an 4
1
improper fraction. feet of fence can he paint in 2 hours?
2
• If one of the factors is a whole number, express it as a
1 1
fraction with “1” as its denominator. 2) A 12 meter long rope is cut into 4 equal parts. How
3 2
• Using the rules of multiples, if a numerator and a long is each piece of rope?
denominator are multiples of a certain number, they can
be cancelled out. 3) In a university, the student population is 8, 100. Of the
4
number are males. How many females are there? How
Examples: 9
4 7 4•7 28 2 • 2 •7 7 many males are there?
a. × = = = =
5 12 5 •12 60 2 •2 •3 •5 15
4 7 1 7 7
or, × = × =
5 12 5 3 15

1 3 3 3 9 1
b. 1 × = × = 𝑜𝑟 1
2 4 2 4 8 8

4 5 4 20 2 • 2 •5 4 1
c.5 × = × = = = 𝑜𝑟 1
15 1 15 15 3 •5 3 3
5 4 1 4 4 1
or, × = × = 𝑜𝑟 1
1 15 1 4 3 3

I. DIVISION OF FRACTIONS
1. In dividing fractions, change the division sign into
multiplication.
2. Use the reciprocal of the divisor as multiplier.
3. Then follow the process of multiplication of fractions.
4. Express the answer in its simplest form.
Examples:
2 3 2 4 8
a. ÷ = × =
3 4 3 3 9

5 4 11 3 33 3 • 11 11 3
b. 1 ÷ = × = = = 𝑜𝑟 1
6 3 6 4 24 3•2•4 8 8
11 3 11 1 11
or, × = × =
6 4 2 4 8

Check your progress:

I. Perform the indicated operations.
1 3 2 3 1
1) + 4) + +
16 16 9 4 3
5 1 3 3 1 1
2) + + 5) 50 + 2 − 20
8 8 8 8 8 8
2 1
3) 1 + 3
3 5