Operations with Fractions

2
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Directions: Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before
your answer.

Answers are at the end of the chapter.

3 2 1 5  4 5
÷ ⋅
1. The sum of , , and
5 3 4
is 4. 6  3 4  is equal to
1
(A) (A) 2
2
27 50
(B) (B)
20 36
3 1
(C) (C)
2 2
91 36
(D) (D)
60 50
5 7
(E) 1 (E)
12 12

3 9 3
2. Subtract from . 5. Subtract 32 from 57.
4 10 5
3 2
(A) (A) 24
20 5
3
(B) 1 (B) 25
5
3 2
(C) (C) 25
5 5
3 3
(D) (D) 24
40 5
7 1
(E) (E) 24
40 5
3. The number 582,354 is divisible by
(A) 4
(B) 5
(C) 8
(D) 9
(E) 10

19
20 Chapter 2

9
4−
10
1 1
6. Divide 4 by 1 . 9. Simplify 2 1 .
2 8 +
3 2
1 93
(A) (A)
4 5
93
(B) 4 (B)
35
8 147
(C) (C)
9 35
9 147
(D) (D)
8 5
1 97
(E) 3 (E)
2 35
7. Which of the following fractions is the largest?
1 1
1 +
(A) a b
2 10. Find the value of 1 1 when a = 3, b = 4.
−
11 a b
(B)
16
5 (A) 7
(C) (B) 2
8
21 (C) 1
(D) 1
32 (D)
3 7
(E) 2
4 (E)
7
8. Which of the following fractions is closest
2
to ?
3
11
(A)
15
7
(B)
10
4
(C)
5
1
(D)
2
5
(E)
6

www.petersons.com
 Operations with Fractions 21

1. ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION

To add or subtract fractions, they must have the same denominator. To add several fractions, this common de-
nominator will be the least number into which each given denominator will divide evenly.

Example:
1 1 1 1
Add + + +
2 3 4 5

Solution:
The common denominator must contain two factors of 2 to accommodate the 4, and also a factor of
3 and one of 5. That makes the least common denominator 60. Rename each fraction to have 60 as
the denominator by dividing the given denominator into 60 and multiplying the quotient by the
given numerator.
30 20 15 12 77 17
+ + + = =1
60 60 60 60 60 60
a c ad + bc
When only two fractions are being added, a shortcut method can be used: + = . That is, in order to add
b d bd
two fractions, add the two cross products and place this sum over the product of the given denominators.

Example:
4 7
+
5 12

Solution:
4 (12 ) + 5( 7 ) 48 + 35 83 23
= = =1
5(12 ) 60 60 60

A similar shortcut applies to the subtraction of two fractions:

a c ad − bc
− =
b d bd

Example:
4 7 4 (12 ) − 5( 7 ) 48 − 35 13
− = = =
5 12 5 (12 ) 60 60

www.petersons.com
22 Chapter 2

Exercise 1
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.
1 2 3 3 9
1. The sum of + + is 4. Subtract from .
2 3 4 5 11
6 12
(A) (A) −
9 55
23 12
(B) (B)
12 55
23
(C) (C) 1
36
6 3
(D) (D)
24 8
1 3
(E) 2 (E)
3 4
5 3 5 1 2
2. The sum of and is 5. Subtract from the sum of and .
17 15 8 4 3
126
(A) (A) 2
255
40 3
(B) (B)
255 2
8 11
(C) (C)
32 24
40 8
(D) (D)
32 15
126 7
(E) (E)
265 24
3 5
3. From the sum of and subtract the sum of
1 2 4 6
and .
4 3

(A) 2
1
(B)
2
36
(C)
70
2
(D)
3
5
(E)
24

www.petersons.com
 Operations with Fractions 23

2. MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION

In multiplying fractions, always try to divide out any common factor of any denominator with any numerator to
keep your numbers as small as possible. Remember that if all numbers divide out in the numerator, you are left
with a numerator of 1. The same goes for the denominator. If all numbers in both numerator and denominator
1
divide out, you are left with or 1.
1

Example:
3 15 11
Multiply ⋅ ⋅
5 33 45

Solution: 1
3
3 15 11 1
⋅ ⋅ =
5 33 45 15
3 15
1

In dividing fractions, we multiply by the multiplicative inverse.

Example:
5 5
Divide by
18 9

Solution:
5 9 1
⋅ =
18 5 2
2

www.petersons.com
24 Chapter 2

Exercise 2
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.
3 4 1 2 7
1. Find the product of , 6, , and . 4. Find of .
2 9 12 3 12
7
(A) 3 (A)
8
1 7
(B) (B)
3 9
14 8
(C) (C)
23 7
1 8
(D) (D)
36 9
5 7
(E) (E)
12 18
7 2 1 5
2. Find ⋅ ÷ . 5. Divide 5 by .
8 3 8 12
3 25
(A) (A)
14 12
7 1
(B) (B)
96 12
21 5
(C) (C)
128 12
14
(D) (D) 12
3
8 12
(E) (E)
3 5
3 1 3 
3. ÷  ⋅  is equal to
5  2 10 

(A) 4
1
(B)
4
12
(C)
5
5
(D)
12
12
(E)
15

www.petersons.com
 Operations with Fractions 25

3. SIMPLIFYING FRACTIONS
All fractional answers should be left in simplest form. There should be no factor that can still be divided into
numerator and denominator. In simplifying fractions involving very large numbers, it is helpful to tell at a glance
whether or not a given number will divide evenly into both numerator and denominator. Certain tests for divis-
ibility assist with this.

If a number is divisible by Then

2 its last digit is 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8
3 the sum of the digits is divisible by 3
4 the number formed by the last 2 digits is divisible by 4
5 the last digit is 5 or 0
6 the number meets the tests for divisibility by 2 and 3
8 the number formed by the last 3 digits is divisible by 8
9 the sum of the digits is divisible by 9

Example:
135, 492
By what single digit number should we simplify 428, 376 ?

Solution:
Since both numbers are even, they are at least divisible by 2. The sum of the digits in the numerator
is 24. The sum of the digits in the denominator is 30. Since these sums are both divisible by 3, each
number is divisible by 3. Since these numbers meet the divisibility tests for 2 and 3, they are each
divisible by 6.
Example:
43, 672
Simplify to simplest form: 52, 832

Solution:
Since both numbers are even, they are at least divisible by 2. However, to save time, we would like
to divide by a larger number. The sum of the digits in the numerator is 22, so it is not divisible by 3.
The number formed by the last two digits of each number is divisible by 4, making the entire
number divisible by 4. The numbers formed by the last three digits of each number is divisible by 8.
5459
Therefore, each number is divisible by 8. Dividing by 8, we have . Since these numbers are no
6604
longer even and divisibility by 3 was ruled out earlier, there is no longer a single digit factor
common to numerator and denominator. It is unlikely, at the level of this examination, that you will
be called on to divide by a two-digit number.

www.petersons.com
26 Chapter 2

Exercise 3
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.
432
1. Which of the following numbers is divisible by 4. The fraction can be simplified by dividing
801
5 and 9? numerator and denominator by
(A) 42,235
(A) 2
(B) 34,325
(B) 4
(C) 46,505
(C) 6
(D) 37,845
(D) 8
(E) 53,290
(E) 9
2. Given the number 83,21p, in order for this
5. The number 6,862,140 is divisible by
number to be divisible by 3, 6, and 9, p must be
I. 3
(A) 4
II. 4
(B) 5
III. 5
(C) 6
(A) I only
(D) 0
(B) I and III only
(E) 9
(C) II and III only
3. If n! means n(n - 1)(n - 2) ... (4)(3)(2)(1), so that (D) I, II, and III
4! = (4)(3)(2)(1) = 24, then 19! is divisible by (E) III only
I. 17
II. 54
III. 100
IV. 39
(A) I and II only
(B) I only
(C) I and IV only
(D) I, II, III, and IV
(E) none of the above

www.petersons.com
 Operations with Fractions 27

4. OPERATIONS WITH MIXED NUMBERS

To add or subtract mixed numbers, it is again important to find common denominators. If it is necessary to
borrow in subtraction, you must borrow in terms of the common denominator.

Example:
1 2
23 − 6
3 5

Solution:

1 5
23 = 23
3 15

2 6
−6 = −6
5 15
6 5 15
Since we cannot subtract from , we borrow from 23 and rewrite our problem as
15 15 15
20
22
15
6
−6
15
14
In this form, subtraction is possible, giving us an answer of 16 .
15
Example:
3 3
Add 17 to 43
4 5

Solution:
Again we first rename the fractions to have a common denominator. This time it will be 20.
3 15
17 = 17
4 20

3 12
+43 = +43
5 20
27 7
When adding, we get a sum of 60 , which we change to 61 .
20 20

To multiply or divide mixed numbers, always rename them as improper fractions first.
Example:
3 1 3
Multiply 3 ⋅ 1 ⋅ 2
5 9 4
Solution:
2 2
18 10 11
⋅ ⋅ = 11
5 9 4
2

www.petersons.com
28 Chapter 2

Example:
3 5
Divide 3 by 5
4 8
Solution:
2
15 45 15 8 2
÷ = ⋅ =
4 8 4 45 3
3

Exercise 4
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.
1 2 3 1
1. Find the sum of 1 , 2 , and 3 . 4. Divide 17 by 70.
6 3 4 2
5 1
(A) 7 (A)
12 4
6
(B) 6 (B) 4
13
7 1
(C) 7 (C)
12 2
1 1
(D) 6 (D) 4
3 2
1 4
(E) 7 (E)
12 9
5
2. Subtract 45 from 61.
12 3 2
5. Find 1 · 12 ÷ 8 .
7 4 5
(A) 15
12 2
5 (A)
(B) 15 5
12 5
7 (B)
(C) 16 288
12 1
5 (C) 2
(D) 16 5
12 1
5 (D)
(E) 17 2
12 1
(E) 2
1 1 2
3. Find the product of 32 and 5 .
2 5
(A) 26
(B) 13
(C) 169
1
(D) 160
10
2
(E) 160
7

www.petersons.com
 Operations with Fractions 29

5. COMPARING FRACTIONS
There are two methods by which fractions may be compared to see which is larger (or smaller).
Method I—Rename the fractions to have the same denominator. When this is done, the fraction with the larger
numerator is the larger fraction.

Example:
5 8
Which is larger, or ?
6 11

Solution:
The least common denominator is 66.
5 55 8 48
= =
6 66 11 66
5
Therefore, is the larger fraction.
6
a c
Method II—To compare with , compare the cross products as follows:
b d
a c
If ad > bc, then >
b d
a c
If ad < bc, then <
b d
a c
If ad = bc, then =
b d
5 8
Using the example above, to compare with , compare 5 · 11 with 6 · 8. Since 5 · 11 is greater,
5 6 11
is the larger fraction.
6
Sometimes, a combination of these methods must be used in comparing a series of fractions. When a common
denominator can be found easily for a series of fractions, Method I is easier. When a common denominator would
result in a very large number, Method II is easier.
Example:

Which of the following fractions is the largest?

3
(A)
5
21
(B)
32
11
(C)
16
55
(D)
64
7
(E)
8

Solution:
To compare the last four, we can easily use a common denominator of 64.
21 42 11 44 55 7 56
= = =
32 64 16 64 64 8 64
7 7 3 7
The largest of these is . Now we compare with using Method II. 7 · 5 > 8 · 3; therefore,
8 8 5 8
is the greatest fraction.

www.petersons.com
30 Chapter 2

Exercise 5
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.
3
1. Arrange these fractions in order of size, from 4. Which of the following fractions is closest to ?
4
4 2 1
largest to smallest: , , . 1
15 5 3 (A)
2
4 2 1
(A) , , 7
15 5 3 (B)
12
4 1 2
(B) , , 5
15 3 5 (C)
6
2 1 4
(C) , , 11
5 3 15 (D)
12
1 4 2
(D) , , 19
3 15 5 (E)
24
1 2 4
(E) , , 1
3 5 15 5. Which of the following fractions is closest to ?
2
2. Which of the following fractions is the 5
smallest? (A)
12
8
3 (B)
(A) 15
4
11
5 (C)
(B) 20
6
31
7 (D)
(C) 60
8
7
19 (E)
(D) 15
24
13
(E)
15
3. Which of the following fractions is the largest?
3
(A)
5
7
(B)
10
5
(C)
8
3
(D)
4
13
(E)
20

www.petersons.com
 Operations with Fractions 31

6. COMPLEX FRACTIONS
To simplify complex fractions, fractions that contain fractions within them, multiply every term by the smallest
number needed to clear all fractions in the given numerator and denominator.
Example:
1 1
+
6 4
1 1
+
2 3
Solution:
The smallest number into which 6, 4, 2, and 3 will divide is 12. Therefore, multiply every term of
the fraction by 12 to simplify the fraction.
2+3 5 1
= =
6 + 4 10 2
Example:
3 2
-
4 3
1
1+
2
Solution:
Again, we multiply every term by 12. Be sure to multiply the 1 by 12 also.
9−8 1
=
12 + 6 18

Exercise 6
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.
2 1 1 5 2
+ + -
3 6 4 6 3
1. Write as a fraction in simplest form: 2 1 2. Simplify: 5 1
- -
3 2 12 6
13 5
(A) (A)
2 12
5
7 (B)
(B) 6
2 2
(C)
13 3
(C) 1
4 (D)
6
4 7
(D) (E)
13 12
49
(E)
12

www.petersons.com
32 Chapter 2

1 1 1
+ 2
a b 3
3. Find the value of 1 when a = 2 and b = 3. 5. Find the value of 1 1.
5 +3
ab 2 3
5 4
(A) (A)
6 17
21
(B) 5 (B)
25
1 7
(C) 4 (C)
6 6
1 12
(D) 1 (D)
5 51
2 14
(E) 2 (E)
5 53
1 1
+
a b 1 1
4. Find the value of 1 when a = and b = .
2 3
ab
5
(A)
6
(B) 5
1
(C) 4
6
1
(D) 1
5
2
(E) 2
5

www.petersons.com
 Operations with Fractions 33

RETEST
Work out each problem. Circle the letter that appears before your answer.
4 3 1 2
1. The sum of , , and is 5. Subtract 62 from 100.
5 4 3 3
8 1
(A) (A) 37
12 3
113 1
(B) (B) 38
60 3
1 2
(C) (C) 37
5 3
10 2
(D) (D) 38
9 3
11 2
(E) (E) 28
6 3
2 8
6. Divide 2 by 4 .
5 10
2 11
2. Subtract from .
3 15 (A) 2
3
(A) 1
4 (B)
2
7
(B) 288
5 (C)
25
5
(C) 25
7 (D)
288
1
(D) 1
15 (E) 2
4
1
(E) 7. Which of the following fractions is the smallest?
3
7
3. If 52,34p is divisible by 9, the digit represented (A)
by p must be 12
8
(A) 1 (B)
(B) 2 15
11
(C) 3 (C)
(D) 4 20
5
(E) 5 (D)
6
 3 1  34 2
4.  5 + 4  ÷ 15 is equal to (E)
3
1
5 8. Which of the following fractions is closest to ?
(A) 4
3
4
5 (A)
(B) 15
8
3
8 (B)
(C) 10
3
3
8 (C)
(D) 20
5
1
3 (D)
(E) 5
8
1
(E)
10

www.petersons.com
34 Chapter 2

5 2 1
+
2 3 ab
9. Simplify: 3 5 10. Find the value of 1 1 when a = 4, b = 5.
+ +
4 6 a b
(A) 2 (A) 9
1 (B) 20
(B)
2 1
(C) 12 (C)
9
1 1
(D) (D)
4 20
(E) 4 9
(E)
40

www.petersons.com
 Operations with Fractions 35

SOLUTIONS TO PRACTICE EXERCISES

Diagnostic Test Exercise 1
1. (D) Change all fractions to sixtieths. 1. (B) Change all fractions to twelfths.
36 40 15 91 6 8 9 23
+ + = + + =
60 60 60 60 12 12 12 12

9 3 36 − 30 6 3
2. (A) Use the cross product method.
2. (A) − = = =
10 4 40 40 20 5 (15) + 17 ( 3) 75 + 51 126
= =
17 (15) 255 255
3. (D) The sum of the digits is 27, which is
divisible by 9. 3 5 18 + 20 38 19
3. (D) + = = =
4 6 24 24 12
5  4 5 5 5 5 3 1
4. (C) 6 ÷  3 ⋅ 4  = 6 ÷ 3 = 6 ⋅ 5 = 2 1 2 3 + 8 11
+ = =
2 4 3 12 12
5 19 11 8 2
5. (A) 57 = 56 − = =
5 12 12 12 3
3 3
32 = 32 9 3 45 − 33 12
5 5 4. (B) − = =
2 11 5 55 55
24 1 2 3 + 8 11
5 5. (E) + = =
4 4 3 12 12
9 9 9 8
÷ = ⋅ =4 11 5 88 − 60 28 7
6. (B) − = = =
2 8 2 9 12 8 96 96 24
7. (E) Use a common denominator of 32.
Exercise 2
1 16 11 22 5 20 21
= = = 2
2 32 16 32 8 32 32 3 6 4 1 1
3 24 1. (B) 2 ⋅ 1 ⋅ 9 ⋅ 12 = 3
= 3
4 32 2

3 7 2 8 14
Of these,
4
is the largest. 2. (D) 8 ⋅ 3 ⋅ 1 = 3
8. (B) Use a common denominator of 30. 3 3
3. (A) ÷
11 22 7 21 4 24 5 20
= = = 4
15 30 10 30 5 30 3 20
1 15 5 25 ⋅ =4
= = 5 3
2 30 6 30
2 20 2 7 2 7 7
Since = , the answer closest to is . 4. (E) 3 ⋅ =
3 30 3 10 12 18
6
9. (B) Multiply every term of the fraction by 30. 5 12
120 − 27 93 5. (D) 1 ⋅ 5 = 12
=
20 + 15 35
10. (A) 1 + 1
3 4
1 1
-
3 4
Multiply every term by 12.
4+3
=7
4−3

www.petersons.com
36 Chapter 2

Exercise 3 Exercise 5
1. (D) The digits must add to a number divisible 2 6 1 5
by 9. All answers are divisible by 5. 3 + 7 + 8 + 1. (C) = =
5 15 3 15
4 + 5 = 27, which is divisible by 9.
2. (A) To compare (A), (B), (C), and (D), use a
2. (A) The sum of the digits must be divisible by
common denominator of 24.
9, and the digit must be even. 8 + 3 + 2 + 1 =
14. Therefore, we choose (A) because 14 + 4 = 3 18 5 20 7 21 19
= = =
18, which is divisible by 9. 4 24 6 24 8 24 24
3 3
3. (D) 19! = 19 · 18 · 17 · 16 ... 3 · 2 · 1. This is Of these, is the smallest. To compare
4 4
divisible by 17, since it contains a factor of 17. 13
It is divisible by 54, since it contains factors of with , use cross products. Since (3)(15) <
15
9 and 6. It is divisible by 100, since it contains 3 13
factors of 10, 5, and 2. It is divisible by 39, (4)(14), < . Therefore, (A) is the smallest.
4 15
since it contains factors of 13 and 3.
3. (D) To compare (A), (B), (D), and (E), use a
4. (E) The sum of the digits in both the numerator common denominator of 20.
and denominator are divisible by 9.
3 12 7 14 3 15 13
= = =
5. (D) The sum of the digits is 27, which is 5 20 10 20 4 20 20
divisible by 3. The number formed by the last 3 3
Of these, is the largest. To compare with
two digits is 40, which is divisible by 4. The 4 4
number ends in 0 and is therefore divisible by 5. 5 3
, use cross products. Since (3)(8) > (4)(5),
8 4
is the larger fraction.
Exercise 4
1 2 4. (E) Use a common denominator of 24.
1. (C) 1 = 1
6 12
2 8 1 12 7 14 5 20 11 22
2 =2 = = = =
3 12 2 24 12 24 6 24 12 24
3 9 19
3 =3
4 12 24
19 7
6 =7 3 18 3
12 12 Since = , the answer closest to is (E),
4 24 4
19
12 .
2. (A) 61 = 60 24
12
5 5 5. (D) Use a common denominator of 60.
45 = 45
12 12
5 25 8 32 11 33 31
7 = = =
15 12 60 15 60 20 60 60
12
13 13
7 28
=
65 26 15 60
3. (C) ⋅ = 169
2 5
1 30 1
Since = , the answer closest to is (D),
2 60 2
1 35 35 1 1 31
4. (A) 17 ÷ 70 = ÷ 70 = ⋅ = .
2 2 2 70 4 60
2

3
7 12 5 5 1
5. (E) ⋅ ⋅ = =2
4 1 42 2 2
6
2

www.petersons.com
 Operations with Fractions 37

Exercise 6 Retest
1. (A) Multiply every term of the fraction by 12. 1. (B) Rename all fractions as sixtieths.
8 + 2 + 3 13 48 45 20 113
= + + =
8−6 2 60 60 60 60
2. (C) Multiply every term of the fraction by 12. 11 2 11 10 1
10 − 8 2 2. (D) - = - =
= 15 3 15 15 15
5− 2 3
3. (D) The sum of the digits must be divisible by 9.
1 1 5 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 4 = 18, which is divisible by 9.
+
2 3
3. (B) 1 Multiply every term by 6. 17 34
4. (E) ÷
6 20 15
1 3
3+ 2
=5 17 15 3
1 ⋅ =
20 34 8
1 1 1 4 2
4. (A) 1
=2 1
=3 1
=6 3
2 3 6 5. (A) 100 = 99
3
2+3 5 2 2
= – 62 = 62
6 6 3 3
1
7 37
3
3 1 2
5. (E) 11 10 Multiply every term by 6.
+ 12 48 12 10 2 1
2 3 6. (B) 5 ÷ 10 = 5 ⋅ 48 = 4 = 2
14 14 1 4
=
33 + 20 53 7. (B) Use a common denominator of 60.
7 35 8 32 11 33 5 50
= = = =
12 60 15 60 20 60 6 60
2 40
=
3 60
8
Of these, is the smallest.
15
8. (A) Use a common denominator of 60.
4 16 3 18 3 9 1 12
= = = =
15 60 10 60 20 60 5 60
1 6
=
10 60
1 15 1 4
Since = , the answer closest to is .
4 60 4 15
9. (A) Multiply every term of the fraction by 12.
30 + 8 38
= =2
9 + 10 19
1
20
10. (C) 1 1 Multiply every term by 20.
+
4 5
1 1
=
5+ 4 9

www.petersons.com