Fractions

Introduction
A fraction is typically understood to be the part of a whole.

1
The shaded portion represents of the whole circle.
3

But more generally, a fraction can be viewed as the ratio between two
whole numbers or an incomplete division problem.
2
The boy to girl ratio at school is 2 to 3 =
3
7
7  16  16 7 
16

Comparing Fractions

1/12
1/12 1/12 1/12
1/3

1/12 1/12

1/3
1/12 1/12

1/12
1/3 1/12
1/12 1/12

1
Let's say we have 2 identical pizzas, but one is cut into 3 equal slices, while the
second is cut into 12 equal slices. If Nell grabs 1 slice of the first pizza and Kerry
grabs 4 slices of the second pizza, which one has the most amount of pizza?

1
Stating the question another way, which fraction is greater: of a pizza, or
3
4
of a pizza?
12

To answer this question, we need to compare fractions. Comparing fractions is

easiest if the fractions are in reduced form. We find a reduced fraction by dividing
the numerator and denominator by the same number until the only number that
1
remains that is divisible by both is 1. Since is already in reduced form, let's try
3
4
to reduce .
12

4 44 1
 
12 12  4 3
4 1
Now that we have shown that reduces to , we can see that both Nell and Kerry
12 3
has taken the same amount of pizza.

1 4
Since and represent the same number, they are known as equivalent fractions.
3 12
A straightforward way to determine if two fractions are equivalent to one another is
is to set them equal to one another and cross-multiply. If the products on both sides
of the eqation are the same, the the fractions are equivalent.
1 4

3 12
1  12  3  4
12  12 equivalent!
2
Fraction Definitions
The fractions we have seen so far are known as proper fractions. A proper
fraction is one where the numerator is always less than the denominator. If the
fraction has a numerator that is greater than its denominator, it is termed an
improper fraction. A number that has a whole number and a fraction is known as
a mixed number. Both improper fractions and mixed numbers have values that
are greater than one.
Shaded area is represented
by mixed fraction:
4 42 2
3 3 3
6 62 3

The fractions we have seen so far are known as proper fractions. A proper
fraction is one where the numerator is always less than the denominator. If the
fraction has a numerator that is greater than its denominator, it is termed an
improper fraction. A number that has a whole number and a fraction is known as
a mixed number. Both improper fractions and mixed numbers have values that
are greater than one.

In solving problems, it will be advantageous to work with fractions in either improper

or mixed form. The following summarizes converting from one form to another.

Change an improper fraction to a mixed number:

1. Divide the numerator by the demonimator.
5
68
 12 68  12 68
12
60
r8

3
Fraction Definitions (cont.)
2. Write the quotient as the whole number and the remainder as a fraction. Put
the remainder over the original denominator. Reduce fraction if necessary.
67 8 84 2
5 5 5
12 12 12  4 3

Change an mixed number to an improper fraction:

1. Multiply the whole number by the denominator of the fraction.
7
3  3  8  24
8
2. Add the numerator.
24  7  31
3. Write the total over the denominator.
7 31
3 
8 8

Fraction Arithmetic
Adding and subtracting fractions:
To add or subtract fractions , you need to find the lowest common denominator ,
the smallest number that can be divided evenly by all the denominators in a
problem. To find the lowest common denominator for two or more fractions ,
follow these steps :
1. Try the largest denominator to see if other denominators divide evenly.
2. If that doesn't work, go through the multiplication table of the largest
denominator until you find a number that the other denominators divide
into evenly.

If adding or subtracting mixed numbers, combine the whole numbers and fractions
seperately. When subtracting fractions, you must sometimes borrow fractions.
4
Fraction Arithmetic (cont.)
Examples:
3 5 35 8  8 5 1 44 1 1 3 1  5 3  4 5  12 17
   1        
8 8 8 88 16 16 16  4 4 4 5 4  5 5 4 20 20

7 3 7  3 10  2 22 1
3 2 5  5  5  1   6 6
8 8 8 8  8 82 4

3 5 3  4 5 12 5 17 1
      1
4 16 4  4 16 16 16 16 16

1 7 1 2 7 2 7 18 7 11
5 3 5 3 5 3  4 3  1
8 16 8  2 16 16 16 16 16 16
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions:
When multiplying and dividing fractions, ensure that any mixed numbers are
converted to improper fractions. Multiply the numerators and the denominators
together. Reduction of the resultant fraction is typically required. When
performing division of a fraction, division is performed by multiplying the divisor
by its reciprocal. The reciprocal is obtained by 'flipping' the fraction over,
swapping the numerator and the denominator.

Examples:
3 2 63 2
  
5 3 15  3 5

1 4 3 4 12 22 1
1     1 1
2 5 2 5 10 10  2 5

7 3 7 4 28  4 7
    
16 4 16 3 48  4 12 5
Real World Examples
Jessica bought 8/9 of a bar of chocolate and ate 1/3 of a bar. How much was left?

This problem requires subtraction to determine the fraction of chocolate that

remains.

8 1 8 1 3 8 3 5
     
9 3 9 3 3 9 9 9

- =
Tom bought a board that was 7/8 of a yard long. He cut off 1/2 of a yard. How
much was left?

This problem requires subtraction to determine the fraction of a yard of board

that remains.

7 1 7 1 4 7 4 3
     
8 2 8 2 4 8 8 8

7
8
yd
- 1
2
yd = 3
8
yd

6
Real World Examples (cont.)
Which apple weighs more, one that weighs 2/3 of a pound or one that weighs
5/6 of a pound?

This problem requires comparison of two fractional values to determine if the

weight of one apple is less than, greater than, or equal to the other. Find the
lowest common denominator between the two fractions and compare.

2 5 2 2 5 4 5 5
?  ?   the apple that is of a pound weighs more
3 6 3 2 6 6 6 6

5 2

>
lb lb
6 3

2
Shaundra took home of a sweet potato pie from Thanksgiving dinner.
3
1
She ate of the remaining amount as a midnight snack. How much of the original
4
pie was left?

This problem requires you to take a compute the amount of pie that was eaten
and subtract from the previous amount to determine the amount leftover. Use
multiplication to compute the amount eaten and subtract from the previous amount.

2 1 22 1
    amount eaten as midnight snack 
3 4 12  2 6
2 1 2 2 1 4 1 3  2 1
        amount leftover 
3 6 3 2 6 6 6 6  2 2

7
Real World Examples (cont.)

2/3
1
 = 1/6
4

2/3
- 1/6 = 1/2