3 RATIONALS

3.1 Fundamental Principle of Fractions

a
Definition of Division: ¿ c if and only if a=bc .
b

a ak
Theorem 3.1: Given real numbers a , b ≠ 0, and k ≠ 0, =
b bk

Statements Reasons
1 Let a /b=x Given
2 a=bx Definition of division
3 ak =bkx Multiplication Property of Equality
ak
4 =x Definition of division
bk
a ak
5 =¿ , where b ≠ 0 and k ≠ 0, Transitive Property of Equality
b bk

a c
Theorem 3.2: = if and only if ad=bc
b d

Definition of division is used to prove this theorem.

3.2 Sign of Fractions

Theorem 3.3
a −a −−a −a
= = =
b −b b −b
Theorem 3.4
−a −a a −−a
= = =
b b −b −b

Properties of negative numbers are used to prove this theorem.

3.3 Operations of Fractions

a a
Definition of Reciprocal: The reciprocal of is .
b b
Axiom 3.1: Multiplication of Fractions
a c ac
∙ =
b d bd

Axiom 3.2: Division of Fractions

a c a d ad
÷ = ∙ =
b d b c bc
Axiom 3.3: Adding and Subtracting Similar Fractions
a b a±b
± =
c c c
Axiom 3.4: Adding and Subtracting Dissimilar Fractions
a b ad ± bc
± =
c d cd