Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Front

What is a fraction?

Back

A fraction represents a part of a whole and is written as 'a/b', where 'a' is the numerator (part) and 'b' is the denominator (whole).

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, 1/2 + 1/3 = 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6.

Front

What is a mixed number?

Back

A mixed number is a whole number combined with a fraction, such as 2 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, 3/4 - 1/2 = 3/4 - 2/4 = 1/4.

Front

What is the first step in simplifying a fraction?

Back

The first step in simplifying a fraction is to find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and denominator.

Front

What does it mean to simplify a fraction?

Back

To simplify a fraction means to reduce it to its lowest terms, where the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1.

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.