Fundamentals of Math

Fundamentals of Mathematics

Similarly to multiplication, you can simplify your fractions early on. Once you have completed the "keep-change-flip" step, you can go ahead and evaluate if your fractions can be simplified Again, determine the greatest common factor (GCF) between any combination of a numerator and denominator pair and then divide each piece respectively by the GCF. When you have finished, proceed to your usual steps.

Example 2.2.4

2 5

2 3

2 5

3 2

÷

=

×

Now you can simplify (if possible).

2 ÷ 2 5

3 2 ÷ 2

1 5

3 1

1 × 3 5 × 1

3 5

×

=

×

=

=

Therefore,

2 5

2 3

3 5

÷

=

Practice 2.2.1

Directions: Identify the product or quotient in each expression. Simplify your results.

1. 4 3

× 13 8

6 11

÷ 4

2.

15

3. 21 5 5. 13 12

× 5 6

4. 5 2

÷ 7 9

× 11 4

1 10

÷ 3

6.

15

8. 8 9 10. 4 5

÷ 1 6 ÷ 4 9

7. 5 4

× 2 7

8 12

× 15 16

9.

Answer Key on Page 117

Adding/Subtracting Fractions Adding and subtracting fractions is slightly more complicated since it requires you to add/subtract fractions with like denominators. If the denominators are already the same begin by adding/subtracting the numerators and keep the denominator the same when you finish, simplify your results.

Example 2.2.5

Addition

Subtraction

4 3

2 3

4 − 2 3

2 3

5 7

1 7

5 + 1 7

6 7

−

=

=

+

=

=

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