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Introduction to Fractions
By Graeme Henchel
http://hench-maths.wikispaces.com

Index
What is a fraction? Mixed Numbers method 1 Mixed Numbers method 2 Equivalent Fractions Special form of one Why Special form of one Finding equivalent fractions Adding: Common denominators Adding: Different denominators Common denominators 1 Common denominators 2 +1/3 with diagram 1/3+1/4 with diagram +2/5 with diagram

3/7+2/3 No diagram Adding Mixed Numbers Multiplying Fractions Multiplying Mixed Numbers 1 Multiplying Mixed numbers 2 Multiplying Mixed diagram Dividing Fractions Fraction Flowchart .ppt Fraction Flowchart .doc Decimal Fractions Fraction<->Decimal<-> %

A fraction is formed by dividing a whole into a number of parts

What is a Fraction?

Im the NUMERATOR. I tell you the number of parts

2 3

Im the DENOMINATOR. I tell you the name of part

Mixed numbers to improper fractions

1 2 = 3
Convert whole numbers to thirds Mixed number

1 6 1 7 2 = + = 3 3 3 3

Improper fraction

Another Way to change Mixed Numbers to improper fractions

2 3 5

In short Since 5/5=1 there are 5x3+2=17 5 fifths in each whole.

So 3 wholes will have 3x5=15 fifths. Plus the 2 fifths already there makes a total of 15+2=17 fifths

17 = 5

Equivalent fractions
An equivalent fraction is one that has the same value and position on the number line but has a different denominator

6 2 3 1 = = = 6 12 4 2
Equivalent fractions can be found by multiplying by a special form of 1

2 3 4 5 1 = = = = = ...... .. etc 2 3 4 5

Multiplying By a Special Form of One Why does it work?

Multiplying any number by 1 does not change the value 4x1=4, 9x1=9 . Any number divided by itself =1.
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1= = = = = = = = = = = = .......... .. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Multiplying a fraction by a special form of one changes the numerator and the denominator but DOES NOT CHANGE THE VALUE

8 25 2 8 25 2 3 17 10 3 17 10

9 6 20 9 6 20
5 125 4 5 125 4
11 11 7

7 50
50

Finding equivalent fractions

3 5
Convert 5ths to 20ths

Thats 4 multiply multiply What do weso I must 5 by to get a by product of 5 20? 4

? 20

3 4 12 = 5 4 20
Special form of 1

Simplifying Fractions: Cancelling

Simplifying means finding an equivalent fraction with the LOWEST denominator by making a special form of 1 equal to 1

12 2 6 2 2 = = 1 = 3 18 3 6 3

Another way of doing this

12 12 6 2 = = 18 18 6 3