Fractions+Help

=External resources= __[| http://www.aaastudy.com/fra.htm]__

Fractions are always a problem when it comes to math, sure, you think fractions are easy, but in truth, they are not. You can never run from fractions, they will crop up in every place possible, so it will be good for you if you at least know something about fractions. You can visit the site above for more information, or just look here for the basics.

When adding or subtracting fractions, make sure that you only add or subtract the numerator, the denominator always stay the same.
 * Adding and Subtracting Fractions

When adding 2 fractions (ex : 3/10 + 7/10) you can easily say that they are 10/10 or 1 because they have common denominators right? And obviously 3+7 makes 10, therefore it's 10/10. But what if the denominators are different (for example 2/5 + 5/12)? What then.

Well, you definitely can't just add the nominators right now, sooooo... you should find the least common multiple (LCM) for the denominator. The LCM is the lowest number that can be divided by say the two numbers A and B without a remainder. Sometimes it's hard to see the LCM for the large numbers but from the above equation: 2/5 + 5/12 = 24/60 + 25/60 = 49/60

If you just can't seem to find the LCD then there is a way to do this (Method was taught in class). For example sakes i will use fractions with small denominators.

You should multiply the first fraction by the second denominator over itself and the second fraction by the first denominator over itself.

Ex: 1/2 + 3/7 --> 1/2 * 7/7 + 3/7 * 2/2 = 7/14 + 6/14 = 13/14

The same rules apply above for subtracting fractions
 * Note, the negative sign of a fraction can go anywhere in front of the fraction, (nominator, denominator, or the line in the middle of the fraction).

Multiplication of fractions are pretty straight forward, just multiply the nominators of the fractions and the denominators of the fractions (ex: 1/2 * 1/3 = 1/6)
 * Multiplying and Dividing Fractions

Division of fractions is pretty straight forward as well, just invert the second fraction and the fraction division becomes a fraction multiplication problem. (ex: 1/2 ** ** ÷ 1/3 = 1/2 * 3/1 = 3/2 ** **) ** **

Simple right?