Fraction Facts
Fraction Facts
Fraction Facts
Definition: A fraction is a numerical representation for Add all the pieces to get
part of a whole. the whole:
The DENOMINATOR The NUMERATOR
tells how many equal 1 tells how many
1/5 pieces of the
pieces the whole is
divided into. 5 whole the fraction
Fact:
represents.
*We use this fact when we Reduce (or Simplify) *We use this fact when we Cross Multiply to solve for
fractions to lowest terms. an unknown numerator or denominator.
When the denominators are different, multiply one Note that it is easier to reduce before actually
or both fractions by another fraction that is the multiplying.
equivalent of 1 to create a Common
Denominator; then add or subtract.
To divide fractions, first invert the Divisor (second
fraction) to get its Reciprocal; then multiply.
You may be able to multiply the smaller Denominator
by something to create the larger one:
Factoring before multiplying can help with reducing:
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EAP, 1/2011 LSC-O
A Proper Fraction has a numerator that is smaller An Improper Fraction has a numerator larger
than its denominator and represents a quantity less than its denominator and represents a quantity
than the whole, or < 1: greater than the whole, or > 1:
1/5, 2/5, 3/5, and 4/5 are proper fractions. 6/5, 10/5, and 27/5 are improper.
Mixed numbers, such as are whole numbers and portions less than 1 (fractions) added
together.
It is often useful in doing calculations to convert mixed numbers to improper fractions. To do so, change the whole
number to a fraction with the same denominator as the other fraction and add:
To express a fraction as a percent, first divide the Numerator by the Denominator; then multiply the resulting
decimal number by 100 (or, simply move the decimal two places to the right):
1/2 = .50 = 50%, 1/4 = .25 = 25%, 9/40 = .225 = 22.5%, and 1/1 = 1.00 = 100%
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