Select a course.
Fractions
infoWhy this? Fractions represent division and multiplicative relationships, making them essential for proportional reasoning. Fluency with equivalence and the four operations allows us to solve problems exactly and supports ratio, percentages, probability, and algebra.
scheduleWhy now? Earlier work on factors, multiples, ratio, and percentages provides useful structures for common denominators, simplification, and equivalence. Consolidating fraction operations now prepares us for mixed numbers, reverse fraction problems, and algebraic fractions.
neurologyYou need to know
- A fraction has a numerator and a denominator, where the numerator shows how many parts are taken and the denominator shows how many equal parts make one whole.
- The denominator of a fraction cannot be 0.
- A fraction is in its simplest form when the numerator and denominator have no common factor greater than 1.
- Equivalent fractions have the same value even though their numerators and denominators are different.
- Equivalent fractions are made by multiplying or dividing both the numerator and the denominator by the same non-zero integer.
- To write one quantity as a fraction of another, both quantities must be expressed in the same unit before forming the fraction.
- When one quantity is written as a fraction of another, the first quantity becomes the numerator and the second quantity becomes the denominator.
- A fraction can represent part of a whole or part of a set, as long as the parts are equal in size or value.
- Fractions can be simplified before or after a calculation, and simplifying does not change the value of the fraction.
- To add or subtract fractions, the fractions must have a common denominator.
- A common denominator is a common multiple of the denominators, and using the lowest common denominator often makes the calculation simpler.
- When fractions have the same denominator, they are added or subtracted by combining the numerators and keeping the denominator the same.
- To multiply fractions, multiply the numerators together and multiply the denominators together.
- A whole number can be written as a fraction with denominator 1, for example `3 = \frac{3}{1}`.
- To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal, and division by zero is undefined.
- The reciprocal of a fraction is found by swapping its numerator and denominator, for example the reciprocal of `\frac{2}{3}` is `\frac{3}{2}`.
- Only a non-zero fraction has a reciprocal.
- A final answer to a fraction calculation should usually be given in its simplest form unless a different form is requested.
rocket_launchYou must be able to
- Simplify a fraction by identifying the highest common factor of the numerator and denominator and dividing both by it.
- Write one quantity as a fraction of another by converting both quantities into the same unit, placing the first quantity over the second, and simplifying the result.
- Generate equivalent fractions by multiplying or dividing the numerator and denominator by the same non-zero integer.
- Find a common denominator for two fractions, rewrite each fraction as an equivalent fraction, and then add or subtract the numerators accurately.
- Add fractions with different denominators and simplify the answer fully.
- Subtract fractions with different denominators and simplify the answer fully.
- Multiply two fractions by multiplying the numerators and denominators, cancelling common factors first where helpful, and simplifying the product.
- Divide one fraction by another by changing the second fraction to its reciprocal, multiplying, and simplifying the answer.
- Check whether a fraction answer is reasonable by comparing it with benchmark values such as 0, `\frac{1}{2}`, and 1 after the calculation.