Things to remember about fractions:

Fractions are numbers that are used to represent parts of whole quantities.
The denominator of a fraction (the bottom) shows the number of equal parts in the whole.
The numerator of a fraction (the top) shows the number of parts being talked about or being used. 

pizza
A pizza arrives from the Deli Shop and it is cut into 8 equally sized pieces. You eat the first piece.
It can be said that
...
pizza3
which says that one of the eight total pieces has been eaten.
pizza2


bullet To compare fractions:
a) convert the fractions to a common denominator. The converted fraction with the larger resulting numerator will be the larger fraction.
frac1

b) convert the fractions to decimal values (divide the top by the bottom) and compare the values.
frac2


Properties of Fractions

Given: a, b, c and d are real numbers, variables, or expressions such that b, c, d ≠ 0.

Property:
Example:
1. Signs and Fractions: fracsign
fracsignE
The placement of a negative sign can be in front of the fraction, in the numerator or in the denominator.
2. Equivalent Fractions:
      fracequivalent
fracequivalentE
"Cross Multiply" - In a proportion, the product of the means equals the product of the extremes.
3. Adding & Subtracting:
     Get a common denominator.
     fracadda
fracaddE
You can use the product of the two denominators as the common denominator if you cannot find a smaller common denominator.
4. Multiplying:
     fracmult
fracmultE
Just multiply through the top and multiply through the bottom.
5. Dividing:
     fracdivide

fracdivideE
Invert (flip) the second term, and multiply.

6. Simplify: Search for the largest factor that will divide evenly into both the numerator and denominator. It may be the case that the fraction is already in its simplest form.
fracsimpE
Writing all of these steps is not necessary. Just be careful not to make a careless mistake.


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ex1 You arrive at a party where 4 different pizzas (of the same size) are being served. Since you like all of the pizzas, you decide to assemble
one full  pizza by combining parts of each of the available choices. You pick up 1/3 of the cheese pizza, 1/2 of the pepperoni pizza, and 1/8 of the sausage pizza. How much of the anchovy pizza will you need to pick up to complete your "new" whole pizza?

Solution:   Let x = fractional part of the anchovy
pizza needed to complete the pizza.  
Add the portions together and set them equal to 1
(the whole new pizza). Solve for x.
frac3     

You will only need 1/24 of the anchovy pizza to complete a whole new pizza.  A very small slice!
pizzaguy


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ti84c
For help with fractions
on your calculator,
click here.

 

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