Scribd
Upload
16 views

fractions

The document provides an overview of fractions, including definitions of proper, improper, and mixed fractions, as well as methods for converting between them. It explains how to find equivalent fractions, reduce fractions to their lowest terms, compare fractions, and perform operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Examples are included to illustrate each concept and method.

Uploaded by

giftsimasiku115
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
16 views

fractions

The document provides an overview of fractions, including definitions of proper, improper, and mixed fractions, as well as methods for converting between them. It explains how to find equivalent fractions, reduce fractions to their lowest terms, compare fractions, and perform operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Examples are included to illustrate each concept and method.

Uploaded by

giftsimasiku115
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Unit 3: FRACTIONS

 Consider the diagram below. The straight line AB divides the Circle into two equal parts.
This gives the fraction ½ I.e. 1 circle divided ib2 parts. The straight line AB and CD
divides the Circle into 4 parts. Each part being ¼ (one fourth ) of the whole circle.
 For every fraction expressed in the form m/n, the top number is the numerator. And
bottom number is the denominator. The numerator is the number of the items to be
shared or divided and the denominator is the number of parts the items being shared.

TYPES OF FRACTIONS
 Proper Fractions: this is the type of fraction in which in which the numerator is less than
the Denominator. i.e. ⅓.

 Improper Fractions: Fractions in which the numerator is greater than the denominator.
i.e. 3
2

 Mixed Fractions: Fractions consisting of a whole number and a proper fraction. i.e
1½
Note: a mixed number is the sum of a fraction and whole number e.g.

1½ = 1+½

Converting an improper fraction to a mixed number.


 To change an improper fraction to a mixed number, Divide the numerator by the
denominator and express the reminder as a fraction of the denominator.

Example:

1. 3 = 1+ ½
2

Equivalent Fractions

 Consider the diagrams below.

Page 1 of 5
The shaded region is 1 shaded region is 2 shaded region is 4
2 4 8
The Fractions 1/2, 2/4, and 4/8 represent the same shaded region of the circle, therefore
½, 2/4 & 4/8 are equivalent Fractions i.e. 1/2=2/4=4/8.

Forming Equivalent Fractions

 To produce equivalent Fractions, multiply or divide both numerator and denominator of


the fraction by the same number.

Example
Find two equivalent Fractions of 3
4
Sol
3 = 3×2 = 6
4 4×2 8 and so equivalent Fractions are; 3/4 & 6/8.

Reducing Fractions to it’s lowest Terms


 To reduce Fractions to it’s lowest Terms divide both the numerator and the denominator
by their Highest common Factor.

Example;
Reduce 12 to it’s lowest terms
42

Sol

The H.C.F(12,42) = 6
Therefore 12 = 12÷6 = 2
42 42÷6 7

Comparing Fractions ( order of Fractions)

 To compare two or more Fractions, find their equivalent forms such that they have a
common denominator.

Example;
Write the following Fractions in order of their size from the smallest to the greatest.

Page 2 of 5
2, 5, &3
3 6 5.

Sol

L.C.M(3,6&5) = 30. So we write the Fractions with the denominator in terms of 30.

2 = 2×10 = 20
3 3×10 30

5 = 5×5 = 25
6 6×5 30

3 = 3×6 = 18
5 5×6 30

Now, 18 < 20 < 25


30 30 30

Hence: 3 < 2 < 5


5 3 6.

Addition And Subtraction of Fractions

 To add two or more Fractions follow the following steps:.


i. Find the LCM of the denominators
ii. Divide each denominator into LCM and multiply the results
iii. Add the numerator a.

Example
Simplify 1 + 3
5 4
L.C.M(4,5) = 20 therefore,

1 + 3 = 4(1)+5(3) = 4+5 = 9
5 4 20 20 20.

Example
Simplify 3½ -1½

Sol

Page 3 of 5
Mixed Operations
Example:
Simplify 3½+1½-2¼
Sol
 Express mixed Fractions as improper
 Find the LCM of the denominator
 Then evaluate

7 +3 - 9
2 2 4

Now th LCM(2,2,4) = 4

= 2(7)+2(3)-1(9)
4
= 14+6-9
4
= 11
4
= 2½

Multiplication of Fractions.
 To multiply fractions, simplify first where possible then multiply numerators together
Example
Simplify
(i) 2 ×3
9 8

(ii) 2½ × 6

Sol
(i) 2 × 3 = 6 , to reduce the fraction to it’s lowest terms. Find the H.C.F(6,72) = 6
9 8 72
=1

Page 4 of 5
12

(ii) We need to convert the mixed to improper fraction and then simplify
= 2½×6
=5 ×6
2
= 30
2
= 15

Division of Fractions

 To divide fractions invert the Divisor ( turn it upside down), simplify where possible then
multiply the results. Where mixed Fractions are involved , change them to improper
Fractions and then apply the rule.

Example;
Simplify the following.

(i) 1 ÷3
8 4

(ii) 10½ ÷ 3

Sol

(i) 1÷3
8 4
=1 ×4
8 3
=1×1
2 3
=1
6

Page 5 of 5

You might also like