MSAP - MATH

LESSON 3: FRACTIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Working with a Fraction ................................................................................................................................... 2

Definitions ................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Equivalent Fractions .................................................................................................................................................. 2
Practice ................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Simplifying or Reducing Fractions ............................................................................................................................. 4
Method for reducing fractions ............................................................................................................................. 4
Practice ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Converting Fractions ................................................................................................................................................. 6
Fractions to Decimals ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Decimals to Fractions ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Improper to Mixed Fractions ................................................................................................................................ 7
Mixed to Improper Fractions ................................................................................................................................ 7
Practice ................................................................................................................................................................. 8

Operations on Fractions ................................................................................................................................... 9

Addition/SubTraction ................................................................................................................................................ 9
Practice ................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Multiplication ............................................................................................................................................................ 3
Practice ................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Division ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Practice ................................................................................................................................................................. 6

Order of Operations ......................................................................................................................................... 7

Practice ................................................................................................................................................................. 7

Multiple Choice Practice ................................................................................................................................... 8

Quiz............................................................................................................................................................... 10

GBC: MSAP – Math (Mar. 2021) 1

 WORKING WITH A FRACTION

DEFINITIONS

There is specific language associated with fractions that we often use when working with them.
Below are some of the most common words and phrases.

• numerator: ‘top’ number in a fraction

• denominator: ‘bottom’ number in a fraction
• fraction bar: the ‘line in between the numerator and denominator’ that represents
division.
2
• proper fraction: a fraction in which the numerator is smaller than the denominator e.g. 3
7
• improper fraction: a fraction in which the numerator is larger than the denominator e.g. 5
• mixed number (or mixed fraction): a number greater than 1 with a whole-number part
1
and a fractional part e.g. 3 5

EQUIVALENT FRACTIONS

Equivalent fractions are those that are equal in value.

To get an equivalent fraction we can multiply both the numerator and the denominator by the
same number.
2
Example: Determine a fraction equivalent to 3.

Solution: Since we multiply the top and bottom of the fraction by a number (the same
one), we could get any number of solutions.

Here are a few solutions to this problem:

2 2 4
Multiply top and bottom by 2: ×2=6
3

2 3 6
Or, multiply top and bottom by 3: ×3=9
3

4 6 2
Both 6 and 9 are fractions equivalent to 3.

When we add and subtract fractions (in the next section), we’ll see that we are usually looking
for a specific equivalent fraction. The next example shows us this concept.

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 5
Example: Determine a fraction equivalent to 8 with a denominator of 24.

Solution: In this example, we need to figure out by what number to multiply both 5 and 8
in the fraction. Since 8 is the denominator, and we want the new denominator
5 3 15
to be 24, we divide 24 by 8 to get 3. This is our number. 8 × 3 = 24

Video
Before moving forward with the rest of the lesson, please review this video for finding
equivalent fractions.

PRACTICE
1. Find 3 fractions equivalent to:
4 3
a. 5 b. 8

4
2. Determine a fraction equivalent to 9 with a denominator of 45.

Answers:
8 12 16 6 9 12 20
1. Possible answers: a. , , , b. , , , 2.
10 15 20 16 24 32 45

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 SIMPLIFYING OR REDUCING FRACTIONS

The simplest form (also lowest terms or reduced) of a fraction is the one we usually use when
talking about them in our daily lives and jobs. For example, in baking we say a half cup, rather
than four eighths of a cup.

The operation to reduce a fraction is opposite to the method shown above for finding
equivalent fractions. Instead of multiplying the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the
same number, we divide.

A fraction in simplest form is one in which the numerator and denominator have no common
factors other than one.

METHOD FOR REDUCING FRACTIONS

Use the following checklist when looking for common factors:
1. Are both numerator and denominator even? If yes, then divide by 2
2. If no, do both numerator and denominator end in a 0 or 5? If yes, then divide by 5
3. If no, then see if they are divisible by 3, if not, try 7, if not, try 11, …

Keep repeating these steps until you cannot reduce any further
8
Example: Determine the simplest form of 12.

8
Solution: For 12, both the numerator and denominator are even so we can start by dividing
both by 2:

85
Example: Determine the simplest form of 100

Solution:

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Video
Before moving forward with the rest of the lesson, please review this video for simplifying
fractions.

PRACTICE
6
3. Reduce 32

30
4. Simplify 45

Answers:
3 2
3. 16, 4. 3

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 CONVERTING FRACTIONS

FRACTIONS TO DECIMALS
Do the division!
3
Example: Convert 8 into a decimal.

3
Solution: means 3 ÷ 8:
8

3
So, 8 = 0.375

DECIMALS TO FRACTIONS
To go from a decimal to a fraction we need to remember our place values to the right of the
decimal.

Example: Convert 0.45 to a fraction.

Solution: Start by looking at the last digit in the decimal and determine its place value. For
1
0.45, the 5 is the last digit and is in the hundredths (100) place. This will provide
the denominator of the fraction. Then always look to reduce:

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IMPROPER TO MIXED FRACTIONS
To change an improper fraction to a mixed number or whole number, we use our key concept
that a fraction is a division; we divide the numerator by the denominator (top by bottom).
13
Example: Convert into a mixed fraction.
8

Solution: Do the division, but stop when you get to a remainder:

The mixed fraction will be

13 5
So, = 18
8

MIXED TO IMPROPER FRACTIONS

To change a mixed number to an improper fraction, we do the following:
1. Multiply the whole number portion of the mixed number by the denominator of
the fractional portion.
2. Add the top of the fractional portion.
3. Place the resulting sum of 1 and 2 over the denominator of the fractional
portion.

5
Example: Convert 3 8 to an improper fraction.

Solution:

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Video
Before moving forward with the rest of the lesson, please review these videos for converting:
Fractions to decimals
Decimals to fractions
Improper to mixed fractions

PRACTICE
5. Convert to decimals:
3 1
a. 20 b. 6 6

6. Convert to fractions:
a. 0.08 b. 3.2

7. Convert to mixed fractions:

37 15
a. b.
8 9

8. Convert to improper fractions:

4 1
a. 3 b. 1
5 100

Answers:
2 1 5 2 19 101
5. a. 0.15, b. 6.166 …, 6. a. 25, b. 3 5, 7. a. 4 8, b. 1 3, 8. a. 5 , b. 100

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 OPERATIONS ON FRACTIONS

ADDITION/SUBTRACTION

To add or subtract fractions, the denominators must be the same. If they are not the same, then we use
equivalent fractions to convert the fractions we have so that the denominators become the same.

There are a number of ways to solve addition and subtraction problems, but all require the need to find
common denominators. The solutions provided for the following examples are typical.
2 1
Example: +2=
3

Solution: We see that the denominators are different.

Let’s write out some equivalent fractions for each:
2 4 6 8
= 6 = 9 = 12 = ⋯
3

1 2 3 4
=4=6=8=⋯
2

By comparing the two lists, we can see two equivalent fractions with the same
4 3
denominator: 6 and 6

These are the ones we can now add together. Add the numerators, keep the
denominator the same, look to reduce.
2 1 4 3 7
+2=6+6=6
3

The answer to this problem is an improper fraction – we can practice converting

it to a mixed fraction:
7 1
=1
6 6

Note: there are a number of ways of finding common denominators that you
may find as you research adding/subtracting fractions

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 1 3
Example: 34−28 =

Solution: We notice that this example is subtracting one mixed number from another. The
first step can be to convert the mixed fractions to improper (see above for
converting mixed to improper fractions):
1 3 13 19
34−28 = −
4 8

Then, we need to have both fractions with the same denominator. If we multiply
9
the top and bottom of the first fraction 4 by 2 it will then have the same
denominator as the second fraction:
13 2 26
×2=
4 8

Now we can subtract the numerators, keeping the denominator.

26 19 26−19 7
− = =8
8 8 8

1 3 7
So, 3 − 2 =
4 8 8

Video
Before moving forward with the rest of the lesson, please review this video on adding and
subtracting fractions

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PRACTICE
9. Add or subtract the following:
2 6
a. +7
7

4 1
b. −3
5

4 3
c. −4
5

3 5
d. +
4 6

10. Add or Subtract the following:

4 1
a. 3 + 2
5 10

2 3
b. 1 + 3
3 7

1
c. 4 − 1
8

1 2
d. 12 7 − 8 3

Answers:
1 7 1 7 9 2 1 10
9. a. 1 7, b. 15, c. 20, d. 1 12, 10. a. 5 10, b. 5 21, c. 3 8, d. 3 21

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 MULTIPLICATION

To multiply fractions, multiply the numerators and multiply the denominators or multiply
“across the top and bottom”. You do not need common denominators. Be sure to simplify the
result.
3 4
Example: ×9 =
5

Solution: As described, multiply the top numbers and multiply the bottom numbers, then
reduce if possible.
3 4 3×4 12 4
× 9 = 5×9 = 45 = 15
5

1 3
Example: 38 × 25 =

Solution: First convert mixed fractions to improper:

1 3 25 13
38 × 25 = ×
8 5

Then multiply numerators and denominators, and look to reduce:

25 13 25×13 325 65
× = = =
8 5 8×5 40 8

Depending on the answers provided in a multiple choice test, you may need to
convert improper fractions to mixed:
65 1
= 88
8

Video
Before moving forward with the rest of the lesson, please review this video on multiplying
fractions

GBC: MSAP – Math (Mar. 2021) 3

PRACTICE
11. Multiply the following:
5 9
a. ×8
7

5 1
b. ×3
9

5
c. ×9
9

5 4
d. × 10
12

2 4
e. 3 × 1
3 7

8 5
f. 19 × 16

Answers:
45 5 1 16 25
11. a. 56, b. 27, c. 5, d. 6, e. 5 21, f. 3 54

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 DIVISION

To divide fractions, we change division to multiplication by rewriting the question as

multiplication with the divisor inverted.

An inverted fraction is called the reciprocal of the original fraction. For example, the reciprocal
2 3
of 3 is 2.

2 4
Example: ÷5=
3

Solution: A common way to express the method of dividing by fractions is to “flip and
multiply”! And, always look to simplify your answer.
2 4 2 5 2×5 10 5
3
÷ 5 = 3 × 4 = 3×4 = 12 = 6

1
Example: 23÷5 =

Solution: Again, when presented with mixed numbers, convert to improper then follow
the rules for the operation:
1 7 5 7 1 7×1 7
2 3 ÷ 5 = 3 ÷ 1 = 3 × 5 = 3×5 = 15

Note: whole numbers can be written as a fraction at any time by ‘putting’ them
over a denominator of 1.

Video
Before moving forward with the rest of the lesson, please review this video for dividing by
fractions.

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PRACTICE
12. Divide the following:
2 5
a. ÷6
3

8 4
b. ÷3
9

3 1
c. 2 ÷ 1
4 8

1 1
d. 3 ÷
2 2

Answers:
4 2 4
12. a. 5, b. 3, c. 2 9, d. 7

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 ORDER OF OPERATIONS

When there are a number of mathematical operations (+, −, ×, ÷, or exponents) occurring in

an expression, the operations need to be carried out in a certain order:

1. If there are brackets (parentheses) or groupings of terms, apply order of operations here
first (B)
2. If there are any exponents, apply them next (E)
3. Then apply multiplications or divisions, as they occur from left to right (M/D)
4. Finally, work on additions or subtractions, again as they occur from left to right (A/S)

Order of operations applies in all math.

Video
Before moving forward with the rest of the lesson, please review this video for order of
operations with fractions.

PRACTICE
13. Follow Order of Operations for the following questions:

2 7 1 1 4 2 5
a. ×8−5 b. [ 3 + 6] ÷ 6
5

2 1 10 2 1 2 1
c. + × d. −( ) +
3 5 11 3 6 4

Answers:
3 1 28 8
13. a. 20, b. 1 5, c. 33, d. 9

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 MULTIPLE CHOICE PRACTICE
1 2 2 1
1. 7 × 2 = 5. 7 + 4 =
3 11 3 4
a. 14 1
a. 12 8
2
b. 14 3 5
b. 11 12
17
c. 14 33 3
c. 11 7
d. 16 11
d. 11 12
6 5
2. – = 6 1
21 7
3 6. ÷8 =
a. − 7 7
6
1 a. 56
b. − 7 44
1 b.
c. 7
21 6
1 c. 6 7
d. 4
14
d. 5 7
4 11
3. 2 9 ÷ 9 7. A bag contains 36 beads. One-
2
a. 1 9 quarter are white; one-third are
b. 2 blue. How many of the beads in the
9
c. bag are neither white nor blue?
2
a. 21
d. 6
b. 25
c. 17
4. A recipe for 1 batch of cookies uses
3 d. 15
cup of sugar. How many cups of
4
sugar are used in 1½ batches of
these cookies?
1
a. 1 8
1
b. 1 4
3
c. 1
8
1
d. 1 2

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 1 1
8. A bag contains 30 colored marbles 12. If 2 4 + 𝑥 = 5 8, then which of the
that have either rough or smooth
1
following is true of 𝑥?
texture. Exactly 2 of the marbles a. It is greater than 1 and less
1 than 2
are blue, 3 are green, and the rest
2 b. It is greater than 5
are yellow. Exactly 3 are smooth. If
c. It is less than 1
half of the rough marbles are d. It is greater than 2 and less
green, then what fraction of the than 3
total bag is rough green marbles?
1
a. 13. Sally buys 400 feet of fencing to
5
b.
1 put up a fence around her
6 7
2 backyard. If she ends up using of
c. 8
5
2
it, how much fencing will she have
d. left over?
3
a. 25 feet
1
9. of 250 is approximately ______ . b. 100 feet
3
a. 85 c. 50 feet
b. 70 d. 75 feet
c. 100
d. 50 3 1
14. 6 4 − 3 3 =
5
a. 3 12
6 5
10. 7 + 4 = 2
b. 4 6
46
a. 7
7 c. 3 12
21
b. 5
28 d. 3 6
59
c. 28
1
d. 2 2

9 2
11. − =
5 3
17
a. 15
12
b. 15
11
c. 5
7
d.
2

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 2
15. Linda has a bag that is filled 3 of
the way with candy. If she takes
1
out 4 of the candy and gives it to
Answers:
her brother, what fraction of the
bag will be filled with candy? 1d, 2a, 3b, 4a, 5d, 6c, 7d, 8b, 9a,10c, 11a,
1
a. 12d, 13c, 14a, 15d, 16
3
1
b. 4
5
c. 6
1
d. 2

16. An animal rescue facility currently

has 45 animals available for
1 1
adoption. If 3 of them are cats and 9
of them are dogs, how many
animals are neither cats nor dogs?
a. 10
b. 25
c. 15
d. 20

QUIZ

Now try MSAP Math Quiz 3 – Fractions

GBC: MSAP – Math (Mar. 2021) 10