Class: Grade 8

Teacher: Lama Al Bitar

Chapter 7: Literal Fractions
Definition:
A literal fraction is a fraction in which its terms “numerator and denominator” are formed of
expressions representing numbers.
a 3a−b
Examples: 𝑎𝑛𝑑
b c

Simplification:
Literal fractions can be simplified if both of its terms have a non-zero common factor.
Examples:
a(b+5) b+5
1) can be simplified since “a” is common factor in the both terms; we get .
a(b−2) b−2
5𝑎(𝑏+1) 𝑎
2) can be simplified since 5(b+1) is common factor in the both terms; we get .
10𝑐(𝑏+1) 2𝑐

Application 1:
Simplify the following literal fractions:
𝑎2 𝑏4
1)
𝑎3 𝑏
3𝑚(𝑛−𝑝)
2)
9(𝑛−𝑝)

𝑛2 −𝑚2
3)
𝑛−𝑚
𝑛−3𝑝
4)
3𝑛−9𝑝

Operations on fractions:
Rule Application
a c ad+cb 2 3 8+9 17
+ = for b ≠ 0 and d ≠0 3
+ =
4 12
=
12
b d bd
a c ad−cb 4 5 24−25 −1
− = for b ≠ 0 and d ≠0 5
− =
6 12 30
=
b d bd
a c a × c 𝑎𝑐 2 5 2 × 5 10 5
× = = for b ≠ 0 and d ≠0 × = = =
b d b × d 𝑏𝑑 3 6 3 × 6 18 9
a c a 𝑑 a×d 𝑎𝑑 1 3 1 4 4 2
÷ = × = = for b ≠ 0, c ≠0 and 2
÷ = × = =
4 3 3 6 3
b d b 𝑐 b×c 𝑏𝑐
d ≠0
Application 2:
Perform each of the following fractions:
1 3
1) +
7 4
9 3
2) −
4 2
15 2
3) ×
2 5
8 4
4) ÷
3 9

Reciprocal of a literal fraction

𝑏
• Let a and b be two non-zero numbers, then, the fraction is called the reciprocal of the
𝑎
𝑎
fraction .
𝑏
2 5
Example: is reciprocal of .
5 2

• The product of a fraction with its reciprocal is1.

a b a×b 𝑎𝑏
× = = =1
b a b×a 𝑎𝑏

Example:
2 5 2×5 10
× = = =1
5 2 2×5 10

Complex fractions
A fraction is complex when at least one of its terms is a fraction.
𝑎
𝑏 a c a 𝑑 a × d 𝑎𝑑
𝑐 = ÷ = × = = for b ≠ 0, c ≠0 and d ≠0
b d b 𝑐 b × c 𝑏𝑐
𝑑

Examples:
1
4 1 3 1 5 5
1) = ÷ = × =
3
4 5 4 3 12
5
3 3
4 4 3 8 3 1 3
2) = 8 = ÷ = × =
8 4 1 4 8 32
1