Capter 01

Essential Mathematics
for Economics and

Business, third edition
Teresa Bradley
Limerick Institute of
Technology
ISBN:978-0-470-01856-9
2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

www.wileyeurope.com/college/bradley
Fractions
Examples on the following slides:
1. Arithmetic operations involving
fractions:
addition; subtraction; multiplication;
division.
2. Solving equations that contain fractions
Fractions
A fraction is written as follows:
a
b
numerator
denominator
Where a and b may be numbers or symbols

The top line is called the numerator
The bottom line is called the denominator
Addition or subtraction of fractions

Worked Example 1.3:
Simplify the following expression
1
2
4
7
3
5
giving your answer as a single fraction

Add/Subtract Fractions:
See text
page 5
1 2 4

7 3 5
Terminology: a common denominator:
A common denominator is a number or expression that
is divisible exactly by the denominator of each
individual fraction
In this case the common denominator is 7 3 5,
which is the product of the denominators from all
three individual fractions
Worked example 1.3

Addition and subtraction of
fractions:
Method
1. Divide its denominator
For each individual
fraction in the following
expression
1 2 4

7 3 5
into the common

denominator
2. Then multiply the result by
its numerator (top line)
3. Bring down the sign
between this and the next
fraction
4. Repeat steps 1. 2 and 3
with the next fraction
First Fraction
1
7
1
2
3
3 5 (1) ............ ............
Numerator
Denominator
5)
[7 3 5]
common denominator

Divide its denominator (7) into

the common denominator (7 3
7 3 5
7
3 5
The result is 3 5
Then multiply the result by its
numerator (top line).
i.e. 3 5 is multiplied by 1
Bring down the sign between
this and the next fraction ( +
in this case) and continue
7
Second Fraction
2 Numerator
3 Denominator
1
2
4
7
3
5
3 5 (1) 7 5 (2) ........
7 3 5
Common denominator

Method
its denominator into the
Divide
common denominator
7 3 5
75
3
then multiply the result by
this and the next fraction ( in this case) and continue
8
Third Fraction
4
5
1
2
4
7
3
5
3 5 (1) 7 5 (2) 7 3 (4)
7 3 5
Common denominator

Numerator
Denominator
Divide its denominator into the
common denominator
7 3 5
73
5
Then multiply the result by
Finish by simplifying
Simplify
1 2 4 3 5 (1) 7 5 (2) 7 3 (4)

7 3 5
7 3 5
15 70 84
7 3 5
1
105

10
Add/Subtract Fractions involving

x
Example: Simplify the following expression, giving
your answer as a single fraction
x 2x 4x
7 3
5
First take a common denominator:
Note: the denominator of each separate fraction should
divide exactly into the common denominator
In this case the common denominator is 7 3
5, ..the product of all individual denominators
11
To add or subtract fractions:

example
Method
For each ndividual

fraction in following
expression.
x 2x 4x
7 3
5

1. Divide its denominator

into the common
denominator
2. Then multiply the result
by its numerator
3. Bring down the sign
between this and the
next fraction
4. continue on to the next
fraction
continued-
12
First Fraction
x
7
x
2x
3
4x
Numerator
Denominator
5)
3 5 ( x) ............ ............
[7 3 5]
common denominator

Divide its denominator (7) into

the common denominator (7 3
7 3 5
7
3 5
The result is 3 5
i.e. 3 5 is multiplied by x
this and the next fraction ( +
in this case) and continue
13
Second Fraction
2x
3
x
2x
4x
7
3
5
3 5 (1) 7 5 (2) ........
7 3 5
Numerator
Denominator

common denominator
7 3 5
75
3
then multiply the result by its

numerator (top line)
Common denominator

Bring down the sign between this

and the next fraction ( - in this
case) and continue
14
Third Fraction
4x
5
x
2x
4x
7
3
5
3 5 ( x) 7 5 (2 x) 7 3 (4 x)
7 3 5
Common denominator

Numerator
Denominator
common denominator
7 3 5
73
5
i.e. 7 3 is multiplied by 4x
15
Simplify
x 2 x 4 x 3 5 ( x) 7 5 (2 x) 7 3 (4 x)
7 3
5
7 3 5
15 x 70 x 84 x
7 3 5
x
105

16
Add/Subtract Fractions
Example: Combine the following fractions into a
single fraction
1
2
4
7 x 3x 5x
Take a common denominator that is divisible by

the denominator of each separate fraction:
In this case the common denominator is
735x
NOTE: this is NOT the product of all denominators

17
For each separate
1. divide its denominator into
fraction,
1
2
4
7 x 3x 5x
the common denominator

2. then multiply the result by its
numerator
3. insert sign between this and
the next fraction
4. continue on to the next
fraction

18
First Fraction
1
7x
Numerator
Denominator
divide its denominator(7x) into

the
1
2
4
common denominator:7 3 5
7x
3x
5x x x
7 3 5 x
3 5
3 5(1) ............ ............
7x
[7 3 5 x ]
common denominator

the result is 3 5
insert sign between this and the
next fraction ( + in this case)
19
Second Fraction
2
3x
Numerator
Denominator
1
2
4
7x
3x
5x
3 5 (1) 7 5 (2) ........
7 3 5 x
Common denominator

Divide its denominator into

the
common denominator
7 3 5 x
75
3x

insert sign between this and
the next fraction ( - in this
case)
20
Third Fraction
4
5x
Numerator
Denominator
divide its denominator into

1
2
4
7x
3x
5x
7 3 5 x
73
3 5 (1) 7 5 (2) 7 3 (4)
5x
7 3 5 x
Common denominator


21
Simplify
1
2
4
3 5 (1) 7 5 (2) 7 3 (4)

7 x 3x 5 x
7 3 5 x
15 70 84
7 3 5 x
1
105 x

22
Example: Combine the following fractions into a
single fraction
1 2x 4
7x 3 5
Take a common denominator that is divisible by the
denominator of each separate fraction in the expression:
In this case the common denominator is
735x
the product of all denominators
23
For each separate
fraction in question,
1 2x 4
7x 3 5

1. divide its denominator

into the common
denominator
2. then multiply the result
by its numerator
3. insert sign between this
and the next fraction
4. Continue on to the next
fraction
24
First Fraction
1
7x
1
2x
4
7x
3
5
3 5(1) ............ ............
Numerator
Denominator
divide its denominator (7)

into
(7 3 5 x)
7 3 5 x
3 5
7x
[7 3 5 x ]
common denominator

the result is 3 5
insert sign between this and the
next fraction ( + in this case)
25
Second Fraction
2x
3
1
2x
4
7x
3
5
3 5 (1) 7 5 x (2 x ) ........
7 3 5 x
Common denominator

Numerator
Denominator
divide its denominator
into the common denomina

7 3 5 x
7 5 x
3

i.e. 7 5 x x is multiplied
by 2x
insert sign between this
and the next fraction ( - in
this case)
26
Third Fraction
4
5
Numerator
Denominator
divide its denominator into

1
2x
4
7 3 5 x
7x
3
5
7 3 x
5
3 5 (1) 7 5 x (2 x ) 7 3 x (4)
7 3 5 x
Common denominator


i.e. 7 3 x is multiplied
by 4
simplify
27
Simplify
1 2 x 4 3 5 (1) 7 5 x(2 x) 7 3 x(4)

7x 3 5
7 3 5 x
15 70 x 2 84 x
7 3 5 x
15 70 x 2 84 x
105 x

28
Multiplying fractions
(see text page 6)
2 5
3 7
2 5 25

3 7 3 7
10
21

Multiply all the numerators

(top lines)
Multiply all the
denominators
(bottom lines)
Simplify
29
(see text page 6)
2 7

3 5
Multiply all the

numerators
(top lines)
2 7
27

Multiply all the
3 5
3 5
denominators
14
(bottom lines)
15

30
(see text page 6)
2
3
5
2 3 2
3
5 1 5
3 2
1 5
6
6
1
1
1 1
5
5
5
Write integers (whole

numbers) as fractions by
putting them over 1
Multiply all the numerators
(top lines)
Multiply all the denominators
(bottom lines)
Simplify:divide the
bottom line into the top
line
31
(see text page 6)
3
x 3
x x 3
3 x 3 3 ( x 3)
x x 3 x ( x 5)
3x 9
2
x 5x

Multiply the numerators

(top lines)
Multiply the denominators
(bottom lines)
Simplify
32
Dividing fractions
(see text page 6)
Remember the following statement:
3
5
11
3
5
11
Dividing by a fraction is
the same as multiplying
by that fraction inverted
2 11
3
5
22
15

Dividing by 5/11 is the

same as multiplying by
11/5
33
Dividing fractions
(see text pages 6 & 7)
5
3
5
3
1
3
5
4
1
3
20
3
2
2
6
6
3
3


numbers) as fractions by
putting them over 1
so write 5 as 5 /1
Dividing by a fraction is
the same as multiplying
by that fraction inverted
34
Dividing fractions
(see text pages 6 & 7)

7
3
8
7
3
8
1
7
1
3
8
7
24


numbers) as fractions
by putting them over 1
Dividing by a fraction
is the same as
multiplying by that
fraction inverted
35
Dividing fractions
(see text page 7)
2x
3x
2( x y )
2x
2x
2( x y )
x y
x y
3x
3x
2( x y )
4 x( x y )
3x( x y )
Dividing by a fraction
is the same as
multiplying by that
fraction inverted
x in the numerator divides
into x in the numerator
4( x y )
3( x y )

36
Solve Equations: Worked Example 1.8

no. 2
(see text page 13)
1
2
5
x
x
Add fractions on LHS
1 2
5
x
3
5
x
1
3
x
5
x
x
1
1
1
3 5x
3
5
x
x
5
5
0.6 x
Multiply both sides

of the equation by x
Divide both sides by 5
and solve for x
37

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Essential Mathematics

for Economics and

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Where a and b may be numbers or symbols

Addition or subtraction of fractions

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Worked example 1.3

into the common

3 5 (1) ............ ............

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Divide its denominator (7) into

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Add/Subtract Fractions involving

To add or subtract fractions:

For each ndividual

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

1. Divide its denominator

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Divide its denominator (7) into

Divide its denominator into the

then multiply the result by its

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Bring down the sign between this

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Take a common denominator that is divisible by

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

the common denominator

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

divide its denominator(7x) into

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Divide its denominator into

then multiply the result by its

divide its denominator into

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

then multiply the result by

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

1. divide its denominator

divide its denominator (7)

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

divide its denominator

into the common denomina

then multiply the result by

divide its denominator into

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

then multiply the result by

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Multiply all the numerators

Multiply all the

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Write integers (whole

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Multiply the numerators

Remember the following statement:

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Dividing by 5/11 is the

(see text pages 6 & 7)

2008 Teresa Bradley and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.