Operations with Fractions

Front

What is a fraction?

Back

A fraction represents a part of a whole and consists of 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, 1/3 + 1/4 = 4/12 + 3/12 = 7/12.

Front

What is the process to divide fractions?

Back

To divide fractions, multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second fraction. For example, 1/2 ÷ 1/3 = 1/2 × 3/1 = 3/2.

Front

What is a reciprocal?

Back

A reciprocal of a number is 1 divided by that number. For example, the reciprocal of 5 is 1/5.

Front

How do you simplify a fraction?

Back

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

Front

What is the least common multiple (LCM)?

Back

The least common multiple (LCM) of two numbers is the smallest number that is a multiple of both. For example, the LCM of 4 and 5 is 20.

Front

What is the greatest common factor (GCF)?

Back

The greatest common factor (GCF) of two numbers is the largest number that divides both of them without leaving a remainder. For example, the GCF of 8 and 12 is 4.

Front

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

Back

To convert a mixed number to an improper fraction, multiply the whole number by the denominator, add the numerator, and place that over the original denominator. For example, 2 1/3 = (2×3 + 1)/3 = 7/3.

Front

What is the process to multiply fractions?

Back

To multiply fractions, multiply the numerators together and the denominators together. For example, 1/2 × 3/4 = (1×3)/(2×4) = 3/8.