Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Front

What is a fraction?

Back

A fraction represents a part of a whole and is expressed as a ratio of two integers, with a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number).

Front

How do you add fractions with the same denominator?

Back

To add fractions with the same denominator, keep the denominator the same and add the numerators. For example, 1/4 + 2/4 = (1+2)/4 = 3/4.

Front

How do you add fractions with different denominators?

Back

To add fractions with different denominators, find a common denominator, convert the fractions, and then add the numerators. For example, to add 1/3 and 1/4, the common denominator is 12: (1/3 = 4/12) + (1/4 = 3/12) = (4+3)/12 = 7/12.

Front

What is a mixed number?

Back

A mixed number is a whole number combined with a proper fraction, such as 1 1/2.

Front

How do you subtract fractions with the same denominator?

Back

To subtract fractions with the same denominator, keep the denominator the same and subtract the numerators. For example, 3/5 - 1/5 = (3-1)/5 = 2/5.

Front

How do you subtract fractions with different denominators?

Back

To subtract fractions with different denominators, find a common denominator, convert the fractions, and then subtract the numerators. For example, to subtract 1/2 from 3/4, the common denominator is 4: (3/4 - 2/4) = 1/4.

Front

What is an improper fraction?

Back

An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator, such as 5/4.

Front

How can you convert an improper fraction to a mixed number?

Back

To convert an improper fraction to a mixed number, divide the numerator by the denominator. The quotient is the whole number, and the remainder is the new numerator over the original denominator. For example, 9/4 = 2 1/4.

Front

What is the least common denominator (LCD)?

Back

The least common denominator (LCD) is the smallest multiple that two or more denominators share. It is used to add or subtract fractions with different denominators.

Front

What is the process for simplifying fractions?

Back

To simplify a fraction, divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common factor (GCF). For example, to simplify 8/12, divide both by 4 to get 2/3.