FRACTIONS
What is a fraction ?
A fraction is a part of a whole, it is represented by a NUMERATOR AND DENOMINATOR seperated by a vertical line called the VINCULUM, below is an example of a fraction
Example of a fraction
NUMERATOR
a VINCULUM QUESTION
b DENOMINATOR
What fraction of the shape is shaded? Answer
REDUCING FRACTIONS
Reducing fractions is simplifying the fraction to its smallest, simplest numerical value, proportionally keeping the same actual value of the original fraction
For Example:
2 1
=
4 2
There are 2 methods for Reducing Fractions:
METHOD 1 GREATEST COMMON FACTOR METHOD METHOD 2 : PRIME FACTORIZATION
The Numerator and Denominator are divided by the greatest factor they both have in common Using Prime Numberd only, list out the product of the factors or both the Numerator and Denominator,
cancelling out the factors in both these numbers
Example
36 factors of 36 = 1,2,3,4,6,12,36 36 2x2x3x3
= =
48 factors of 48 = 1,2,3,4,6,8,12,24. 48 48 2x2x2x2x3
divided by 12 3 36 3
36 = =
48 divided by 12 4 48 (2x2)
36 3
=
48 4
MULTIPLYING FRACTIONS
Example:
Rule: a c (a x c) 21 18 6 3 3
x = x =
b d (b x d) 31 2010 5 5
Numerators are multiplied
Denominators are multiplied
Vertical and Cross Cancellation are correct for the process (Reducing the fraction)
Multipication is the only operation being done Horizontally
Whole numbers have a Denominator of 1
DIVIDING FRACTIONS
Rule: a c (a x c) Example1: 3 5
÷ = ÷ =
b d (b x d) 4 8
3 8 24
x =
a d (a x d) 4 5 20
x =
b c (b x c)
=
1 1/5
FRACTIONS ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION
Fractions must have a common denominator in order to be added or subtracted, the only way is to use the Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)
Sample: 5 1
- =
6 3
To find the LCM list the Factors of the Denominators and choose the lowest number
Factors of 6= 6, 12, 18 , 24….
Factors of 3= 3, 6, 9, 12…
LCM= 6
5-2 31 1
= =
6 62 2
MIXED AND IMPROPER FRACTIONS
A Proper fraction is where the Numerator is Less than the Denominator Example 3
4
An Improper Fraction is where the Numerator is More than or equal to the Denominator
Example 7
2
Mixed Numbers a combination of Whole Numbers with a fraction
2 7/10
Conversion of a Mixed number to an improper fraction
Whole number x Denominator + the Numerator
Denominator
Conversion of an improper fraction to a Mixed number
Numerator divided by Denominator
Step 2 : # of Times the Denominsator could go into the numerator will be Whole numbers and the remainder must be put with the same Denominator
Sample 18 2
7 = 2 4/7 7 18
14
Remainder 4
PERCENTAGES
A percent is a fraction of 100, hence the denominator is 100
Sample IMPORTANT NOTE : IF YOU HAVE A DECIMAL VALUE JUST MULTIPLY IT BU 100 AND THE PERCENTAGE IS CALCULATED
25 % = 25
100
FRACTIONS EQUATIONS
SAMPLE 1 X X-2 SAMPLE 2 1 1 1
= + =
5 3 2X 3 6
Cross Product Multiply both sides of the equation by the LCM 6
3x = 5(x-2)
3X = 5X -10 3 (X) + 2(1) = 1(1)
10 = 5X -3X 3X + 2= 1
10= 2X 3X + 2= 1
X= 5 3X = 1(- 2)
= -1
X = -1
3