Fraction Operations

Adding, subtracting, multiplying &

dividing
Mixed Numbers & Improper Fractions

 A mixed number is a combination of a whole

number and a fraction. For example: 1 3
5
 An improper fraction is a fraction whose
numerator (top) is bigger than its
8
denominator (bottom). Example:
5

 These two forms are completely

interchangeable. You just have to decide
which form is the most convenient for you to
use.
Mixed Numbers & Improper Fractions

 To choose between mixed numbers &

improper fractions:

 When you are adding or subtracting,

mixed numbers are best. (Don’t forget,
they must have common denominators.)

 When you are multiplying or dividing,

improper fractions will be best.

 When you are finished, always leave your

answer in mixed number form.
 Converting Improper Fractions to
Mixed Numbers
 To convert an improper fraction to a mixed
number, simply divide. If you have a remainder, it
will become the numerator (top) of the new
fraction. The denominator of the improper fraction
will still be the denominator in the mixed number.

5 1 2/3 5 2
3
 3 5 1
(Read: -3 3 3
5 divided by 3) 2
Converting Mixed Numbers to
Improper Fractions
 This is just a matter of cutting up the whole units
into the right size pieces and then adding them to
the fractional part of the mixed number.

 Real life example: If you had 2 3/4 dollars ($2.75),

how many fourths of a dollar (quarters) would you
have?

 The $2 would make 8 quarters. That’s 8/4. Then

add the other 3/4 (the 75 cents) and you have a
total of 11/4. That’s 11 quarters.
Converting Mixed Numbers to
Improper Fractions
Here is an example:

2 3 5 2 15 2 17
3      
5 1 5 5 5 5 5
This is the long way. There is a
shorter way, but you need to know
why the shortcut works before you
start using it.
Converting Mixed Numbers to
Improper Fractions
 For the shortcut, multiply the bottom by
the whole number then add it to the
numerator. The denominator of the
improper fraction is the same as it was
in the mixed number.
Add:
28+2=30 2 30
Multiply:
4 
4x7=28 7 7 Denominator did
not change!
Adding & Subtracting Fractions

 Remember that fractions

represent pieces of things.
Before you can add pieces,
you have to make sure that
they are the same size.
 This means that we have to
find equivalent fractions with
a common denominator. You
have already learned this
process.
Adding & Subtracting Fractions

 Second, remember that the

denominator tells us about the SIZE of
the pieces – not the amount of pieces.
 For this reason, the denominator stays
the same when you add.

3 4 7
 
10 10 10
Adding & Subtracting Fractions

 Finally, when you do anything with

fractions, you should always leave the
answer in simplest form. It’s “good math
manners” to leave things in simplest form.

3 2 5 1
  
10 10 10 2
Adding & Subtracting Fractions

 Sometimes when you add fractions, you

can end up with an answer that is more
than one (an improper fraction). When
this happens, you should convert your
answer back to mixed number form.

7 6 13 3
  1
10 10 10 10
Multiplying Fractions

 When you multiply fractions, it is

usually easier to try to simplify before
you do all the work of multiplying.

4 5 2 25 5 5
   
21 12 3  7  2  2  3 3  3  7 63

When you multiply fractions, just

multiply straight across. You do not
need a common denominator.
Multiplying Fractions

 If you do not simplify

before you start
multiplying, you will
work with some larger-
than-necessary
numbers.
 You will also have to
simplify your answer
when you finish.
Multiplying Fractions

 To simplify, you can either prime factor the

numbers and cross out any numbers that
appear in both the top & bottom –
 Or you can ask yourself, “Are there any
numbers in the top & bottom that can be
divided by the same number?”

3
6 3 9 Are there any numbers (top & bottom)
  that can be divided by the same number?
7 8 28 Yes: 6 and 8 can both be divided by 2.
6 ÷ 2 = 3, and 8 ÷ 2 = 4.
4
Dividing Fractions

 Dividing fractions is a lot like multiplying fractions.

 You do not need a common denominator.
 Instead, you will need to use the reciprocal of a
fraction.
 The reciprocal is the “upside down” version of a
fraction.

The
reciprocal
3 7
is
of
7 3
Dividing Fractions

 Any number multiplied by its

reciprocal = 1.

3 4 12
  1
4 3 12
 We can use this fact to make our
dividing easier.
Dividing Fractions

2
It turns out that multiplying the top &
2 5 3
  bottom of this horrible thing by the
reciprocal of the bottom number will
3 8 5 get rid of the bottom part.

8
2 8 16 1
All that’s left when you do
that is:   1
3 5 15 15
Dividing Fractions

 So, the bottom line is, in order to divide a

fraction, you simply multiply the first fraction
in the problem by the reciprocal of the
second fraction.
 Here’s another example:

1
5 10 5 11 11
   
7 11 7 10 14
2
reciprocals
Wrap-Up

 Basically, when dealing with fractions, you

need to remember:

 Adding & subtracting call for common

denominators.

 Multiplying & dividing do not.

 No matter what you are doing, you should leave

all answers in their most simplified form. That
means mixed numbers if you end up with an
improper fraction.