Operations on Fractions

Front

What is a fraction?

Back

A fraction represents a part of a whole and is expressed as a ratio of two integers, where the numerator is the part and the denominator is the whole.

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

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 for subtracting fractions?

Back

To subtract fractions, if they have the same denominator, subtract the numerators and keep the denominator. If they have different denominators, find a common denominator first.

Front

What is a common denominator?

Back

A common denominator is a shared multiple of the denominators of two or more fractions, allowing them to be added or subtracted.

Front

What is the difference between proper and improper fractions?

Back

A proper fraction has a numerator smaller than its denominator (e.g., 3/4), while an improper fraction has a numerator larger than or equal to its denominator (e.g., 5/4 or 4/4).

Front

What is a mixed number?

Back

A mixed number is a whole number combined with a proper fraction (e.g., 1 1/2).

Front

How do 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.

Front

What is the sum of 1/2 and 1/3 in lowest terms?

Back

The sum is 5/6.