Business Math - Chapter 2 [Fractions]

Select the sign for division

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Adding Like Fractions

1. Add the numerators and place the total over the original denominator 2. If the total of your numerators is the same as your original denominator, convert your answer to a whole number; if the total is larger than your original denominator, convert your answer to a mixed number.

Reducing Fractions to the Lowest Terms by Inspection

1. By inspection, find the largest whole number (greatest common divisor) that will divide evenly into the numerator and denominator (does not change the fraction value). 2. Divide the numerator and denominator by the greatest common divisor. Now you have reduced the fraction to the lowest terms since no number (except 1) can divide evenly into the numerator and denominator.

Dividing Mixed Numbers

1. Convert all mixed numbers to improper fractions. 2. Invert the divisor (take its reciprocal) and multiply. If your final answer is an improper fraction, reduce it to lowest terms. you can do this by finding the greatest common divisor or by using the cancellation technique.

Multiplying Mixed Numbers

1. Convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions. 2. Multiply the numerators and denominators. 3. Reduce the answer to the lowest terms or use the cancellation method.

Converting Improper Fractions to Whole or Mixed Numbers

1. Divide the numerator of the improper fraction by the denominator. 2. a. If you have a remainder, the quotient is a whole number. b. If you have a remainder, the whole number part of the mixed number is the quotient. The remainder is placed over the old denominator as the proper fraction of the mixed number.

Adding Unlike Fractions

1. Find the LCD 2. Change each fraction to a like fraction with the LCD 3. Add the numerators and place the total over the LCD 4. If necessary, reduce the answer to lowest terms

Subtracting Unlike Fractions

1. Find the LCD 2. Raise the fraction to its equivalent value 3. Subtract the numerators and place the answer over the LCD. 4. If necessary, reduce the answer to the lowest terms.

Dividing Proper Fractions

1. Invert (turn upside down) the divisor (the second fraction). The inverted number is the reciprocal. 2. Multiply the fractions. 3. Reduce the answer to lowest terms or use the cancellation method.

Subtracting Mixed Numbers [When Borrowing Is Necessary]

1. Make sure the fractions have the LCD. 2. Borrow from the whole number of the minuend (top number) 3. Subtract the whole numbers and fractions 4. Reduce the fraction(s) to the lowest terms.

Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions

1. Multiply the denominator of the fraction by the whole number. 2. Add the product from Step 1 to the numerator of the old fraction 3. Place the total from Step 2 over the denominator of the old fraction to get the improper fraction.

Subtracting Mixed Numbers [When Borrowing Is Not Necessary]

1. Subtract fractions, making sure to find the LCD 2. Subtract whole numbers. 3. Reduce the fraction(s) to the lowest terms.

Subtracting Like Fractions

1. Subtract the numerators and place the answer over the common denominator. 2. If necessary, reduce the answer to the lowest terms.

Proper Fraction

A proper fraction has a value less than 1; its numerator is smaller than its denominator.

Improper Fraction

An improper fraction has a value equal to or greater than 1; its numerator is equal to or greater than its denominator.

A proper fraction has a value greater than 1

False

Reducing the fraction 75/100 to 3/4 changes the value of the fraction.

False

Like Fractions

Same denominator, or a common denominator.

Horizontal Line

Separates the numerator and the denominator of a fraction. This also indicates division.

Divisor

The is the fraction that we divide by

Mixed number

The sum of a whole number greater than zero and a proper fraction.

Denominators

To combine fractions, they must have common

Fractions explain parts of objects

True

Given the fraction 2/4, the 2 is in the numerator position.

True

Reducing a fraction to the lowest terms might result in more than one division

True

When solving fraction problems, you should reduce answers to the lowest terms.

True

Cancellation Technique

When multiplying fractions, the cancellation technique or method is an alternative to reducing to lowest terms.

Fractions

With fractions you can divide any object or unit-a whole-into a definite number of equal parts.

The reciprocal is used when

dividing fractions

The final step of adding unlike fractions is to, if necessary, reduce the answer to

lowest terms

You can find the least common denominator by inspection or with

prime numbers