2. Fractions have numerators and denominators
Fractions represent the division of the numerator by the
denominator or it’s the same as 4 divided by 5
The numerator is the top number or tells us how many such
pieces are being considered.
The denominator is the bottom number or tells us how many
congruent (equal) pieces the whole is divided into.
numerator denominator
5
/
4
3. What is a fraction?
Fractions are one or more parts of a whole that is divided into
equal parts. Fractions can represent numbers less than 1,
equal to 1, or greater than 1. The whole can be broken up
into regions, sets, or segments.
4. Putting Fractions in Simplest Form
A fraction is in its lowest terms is reduced or simplified if we cannot
find a whole number that can divide into both its numerator and
denominator. Reducing a fraction in lowest terms gives you its
equivalent fraction with the lowest possible numerator and
denominator.
Steps to Reducing Fractions or putting fractions into Simplest Forms:
1. Find the GCF of the numerator and the denominator.
2. Divide the GCF into both the numerator and the denominator to
get the fraction in simplest form.
6= 1, 2, 3, 6
10= 1, 2, 5, 10
2 is the GCF so divide 2 into the numerator and
the dominator to get the fraction in simplest forms.
10
6 = 3
5
5. Simplify Fractions
• Divide both numerator and denominator by
the Greatest Common Factor
72
28 Factors are 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28
Factors are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 48, 72
Greatest Common Factor is 4
28
72 ÷
÷ 4
4
=
=
7
18
So
72
28
=
7
18
6. 10= 1, 2, 5, 10
60= 1, 2, 3, 4, 6,10, 30, 60
10 is the GCF and can be divided into both
10 and 60.
11= 1,11
23= 1, 23
1 is the GCF and so this fraction is already in
simplest form.
60
10
23
11
Fractions in Simplest Forms: Remember to first find the
GCF, then divide.
40
35 35= 1, 5, 7, 35
40= 1,2, 4,10, 20, 40
5 is the GCF and divides into both 35 and
40.
10. Like Fractions
When fractions have the same denominator
they are like fractions.
You can add or subtract fractions when you
have like fractions.
These are all like fractions.
4 7 6 3 2 5
5 5 5 5 5 5
11. Adding Like Fractions
Steps:
1. Make sure that you have like fractions.
2. Add the numerators.
3. Write the sum over the denominator.
4. Write the answer in simplest form.
1
6
4
6
5
6
The answer
is:
5
6
12. Subtracting Like Fractions
Steps:
1. Make sure that you have like fractions.
2. Subtract the numerators.
3. Write the difference over the denominator.
4. Write the answer in simplest form.
7
8
3
8
4
8
The answer
is:
1
2
14. Unlike Fractions
Unlike fractions have different denominators.
Adding or subtracting with unlike fractions isn’t
that different from adding or subtracting like
fractions. You just have to find what their
denominators have in common.
2
3
5
6
5
8
3
4
15. Changing Unlike to Like
2
3
5
6
Steps:
1. Find a common multiple that will go into both denominators.
2. Multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number so the
denominator is the same as the common multiple.
WHAT EVER YOU DO TO THE BOTTOM YOU HAVE TO DO TO THE TOP!
3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18
6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36
6
6
2
2
1
1
4
5
Now you’re ready
to use these
fractions for addition
and subtraction!
20. Mixed Numbers
There are two ways to change mixed numbers
so you can add or subtract.
• Change the mixed number into an improper
fraction.
• Change just the fraction and leave the whole
number alone.
21. Mixed Numbers
1 1/5
2 3/5
Steps:
1. Add the fractions together.
2. Add the whole numbers.
4/5
3
The answer is :
3 4/5
22. Unlike Mixed Numbers
Steps:
1.Change the unlike fractions to like fractions.
2.Add the fractions.
3.Add the whole numbers.
4.If the fraction is improper, change it to mixed and add
the whole numbers.
11/2 25/6
1/2
3/6
5/6
8/6
312/6
4
The answer
is:
4 1/3
