Key Rules: Fractions

Adding/ Subtracting Fractions

- Change ALL mixed number and whole numbers to improper fractions
- Get common denominators
- Make equivalent fractions
- Add/ subtract the numerators
Keep the denominators the same
-Simplify

ex

ex

3 1 12
4
3

6 3 11
10
5

= 13 5

1) Changed the mixed numbers

to improper fractions

= 63 6

= 39 20

2) Got common denominators

= 63 12

12

12

3) Made equivalent fractions

10

10

= 59

4) Added/subtracted numerators
Kept the denominators

= 51

= 4 11

5) Simplified

=5 1

12

12

10

10

10

Multiplying Fractions
- Change ALL mixed number and whole numbers to improper fractions
- Cancel (optional)
- Numerator numerator
- Denominator Denominator
- Simplify
Without canceling
Change the mixed number
to improper fractions
Numerator Numerator
Denominator Denominator
Simplify

With canceling

ex

ex

223
5 8

223
5 8

= 12 3
5 8

= 12 3
5 8

Change the mixed number

to improper fractions
Cancel
Numerator Numerator
(33)

= 36

= 12 3

= 9
10

= 9
10

40

8
2

Denominator Denominator
(5 2)

Dividing Fractions
- Change ALL mixed number and whole numbers to improper fractions
- Change division to multiplication
- Take the reciprocal of the 2nd number
- Follow the rules for multiplication

ex
1 33
9
4

Change division to multiplication

Follow rules of multiplication

= 1 15
9

=1 4
9

= 4

15

135

Change the mixed number

to improper fractions
Change 2nd fraction to its
reciprocal