Adding and Subtracting Rational Numbers

Front

What is a rational number?

Back

A rational number is any number that can be expressed as the quotient or fraction of two integers, where the denominator is not zero.

Front

How do you add two rational numbers with the same sign?

Back

When adding rational numbers with the same sign, you add their absolute values and keep the common sign.

Front

How do you add two rational numbers with different signs?

Back

When adding rational numbers with different signs, you subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger absolute value and take the sign of the number with the larger absolute value.

Front

What is the process for subtracting rational numbers?

Back

To subtract rational numbers, you can add the opposite of the number being subtracted.

Front

What is the first step in adding or subtracting rational numbers?

Back

The first step is to ensure that the rational numbers have a common denominator if they are fractions.

Front

What is the least common denominator (LCD)?

Back

The least common denominator is the smallest multiple that is common to the denominators of two or more fractions.

Front

How do you find the least common denominator of two fractions?

Back

To find the least common denominator, list the multiples of each denominator and identify the smallest multiple that appears in both lists.

Front

What is the rule for adding fractions with different denominators?

Back

To add fractions with different denominators, convert them to equivalent fractions with a common denominator before adding.

Front

What is the rule for subtracting fractions with different denominators?

Back

To subtract fractions with different denominators, convert them to equivalent fractions with a common denominator before subtracting.

Front

What is an example of adding two rational numbers with the same sign?

Back

Example: 3/4 + 1/4 = 4/4 = 1.