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It is easy to add fractions with the same denominator (same bottom number):
/4
(One-Quarter)
/4
(One-Quarter)
/4
(Two-Quarters)
/2
(One-Half)
Another example:
/8
/8
/8
/8
/4
/4
/8
/8
/8
But when it is hard to make the denominators the same, use one of these methods
(they both work, use the one you prefer):
Common Denominator
Step 1. Make sure the bottom numbers (the denominators) are the same
Step 2. Subtract the top numbers (the numerators). Put the answer over the same
denominator.
Example 1:
34 14
Step 1. The bottom numbers are already the same. Go straight to step 2.
Step 2. Subtract the top numbers and put the answer over the same denominator:
34 14 = 3 14 = 24
Step 3. Simplify the fraction:
24 = 12
(If you are unsure of the last step see Equivalent Fractions .)
Example 2:
12 16
Step 1. The bottom numbers are different. See how the slices are different sizes? We need
to make them the same before we can continue, because we can't subtract them like this:
12
16
To make the bottom numbers the same, multiply the top and bottom of the first fraction
(1/2) by 3 like this:
12
36
3
And now our question looks like this:
36
16
The bottom numbers (the denominators) are the same, so we can go to step 2.
Step 2. Subtract the top numbers and put the answer over the same denominator:
36 16 = 3 16 = 26
In picture form it looks like this:
36
16
26
26 = 13
Example: Cupcakes
You want to sell cupcakes at a market:
25 14 = ??
First make the bottom numbers (the denominators) the same.
Multiply top and bottom of 2/5 by 4:
2 45 4 14 = ??
And multiply top and bottom of 1/4 by 5:
2 45 4 1 54 5 = ??
Now do the calculations:
Example:
12 25
Step 1. Multiply the top numbers:
12 25 = 1 2
= 2
12 25 = 1 22 5 = 210
Step 3. Simplify the fraction :
210 = 15
With Pizza
Here you can see it with pizza ...
Another Example
13 916
13 916 = 1 9
= 9
13 916 = 1 93 16 = 948
Step 3. Simplify the fraction:
948 = 316
(This time we simplified by dividing both top and bottom by 3)
The Rhyme
"Multiplying fractions: no big problem,
Top times top over bottom times bottom.
"And don't forget to simplify,
Before it's time to say goodbye"
Example: 5 is also 51
Then continue as before.
Example:
23 5
Make 5 into 51 :
23 51
Now just go ahead as normal.
Multiply tops and bottoms:
23 51 = 2 53 1 = 103
The fraction is already as simple as it can be.
Answer = 103
Or you can just think of the whole number as being a "top" number:
Example:
3 29
Multiply tops and bottoms:
3 29 = 3 29 = 69
Simplify:
69 = 23
Mixed Fractions
You can also read how to multiply mixed fractions
Example:
Example:
12 16
Step 1. Turn the second fraction upside down (it becomes a reciprocal):
16 becomes 61
Step 2. Multiply the first fraction by that reciprocal:
12 61 = 1 62 1 = 62
(... multiply bottoms)
62 = 3
How Many?
20 divided by 5 is asking "how many 5s in 20?" (=4) and so:
12 16 is really asking:
Now look at the pizzas below ... how many "1/6th slices" fit into a "1/2 slice"?
How many
in
Another Example:
18 14
Step 1. Turn the second fraction upside down (the reciprocal):
14 becomes 41
Step 2. Multiply the first fraction by that reciprocal:
18 41 = 1 48 1 = 48
Step 3. Simplify the fraction:
48 = 12
Example: 5 is also 51
Answer: 3
Example:
23 5
Make 5 into 51 :
23 51
Then continue as before.
Step 1. Turn the second fraction upside down (the reciprocal):
51 becomes 15
Step 2. Multiply the first fraction by that reciprocal:
23 15 = 2 13 5 = 215
Step 3. Simplify the fraction:
The fraction is already as simple as it can be.
Answer = 215
Example:
3 14
Make 3 into 31 :
31 14
Then continue as before.
Step 1. Turn the second fraction upside down (the reciprocal):
14 becomes 41
Step 2. Multiply the first fraction by that reciprocal:
31 41 = 3 41 1 = 121
Step 3. Simplify the fraction:
121 = 12
So instead of dividing by a fraction, it is easier to turn that fraction upside down, then do a
multiply.