Common Factors and Fraction Operations

The video tutorial explains how to evaluate and simplify expressions involving fractions. It begins with the expression a - b, where a = -5/12 and b = 1/12, demonstrating the process of finding a common denominator and simplifying the result. The tutorial further explores simplifying fractions by identifying common factors and using prime factorization. A second example, x - y, where x = 2/9 and y = 4/9, is provided to reinforce the concepts. The video emphasizes the importance of common denominators and simplifying fractions to their simplest form.

What is the first step in evaluating the expression a - b when given specific values for a and b?

• Find the reciprocal of a and b

• Substitute the given values into the expression

• Multiply the values of a and b

• Add the values of a and b

When subtracting fractions, what must be true about their denominators?

• They must be different

• They must be the same

• They must be even numbers

• They must be prime numbers

What is the result of subtracting the numerators -5 and 1 in the expression a - b?

• 6

• -4

• -6

• 4

What is the greatest common factor used to simplify the fraction -6/12?

• 6

• 12

• 2

• 3

How can the fraction -6/12 be simplified using prime factorization?

• By writing the numerator and denominator as products of their prime factors

• By dividing both numerator and denominator by 3

• By adding 1 to both numerator and denominator

• By multiplying both numerator and denominator by 2

What is the prime factorization of the number 6?

• 2 * 2

• 3 * 3

• 2 * 3

• 1 * 6

In the second example, what are the values of x and y?

• x = 1/9 and y = 3/9

• x = 2/9 and y = 4/9

• x = 3/9 and y = 5/9

• x = 4/9 and y = 6/9

What is the result of subtracting the numerators 2 and 4 in the expression x - y?

• 0

• 2

• -2

• 4

What is the simplified form of the fraction -2/9?

• -3/9

• -4/9

• -2/9

• -1/9

What is the only common factor between the numbers 2 and 9?

• 9

• 1

• 3

• 2