OPERATIONS ON FRACTIONS

Adding Fractions

a. Adding Similar Fractions

To add similar fractions, add the numerators and take the common denominators.
1 3
Example 1: Add 8
+8

Step 1. Add the numerators and take the common denominator.

1 3 1+3 4
+ = =
8 8 8 8
Step 2. Reduce the sum to lowest term.
1 3 1+3 4 1
+ = = =
8 8 8 8 2
5 3
Example 2. Add 2 12 + 612

Solution:

Step 1 . Add the whole number, add the numerators, take the common denominator.

5 3 5+3 8
2 +6 =(2+6)+ =8
12 12 12 12

Step 2. Reduce the sum to lowest term.

5 3 5+3 8 2
2 +6 =(2+6)+ =8 =8
12 12 12 12 3

5 3 2
Thus, 2 +6 =8
12 12 3

b. Adding Dissimilar Fractions

To add dissimilar fractions, change them first to similar fractions; and then, add.

2 2
Example 3. Add 8 5 + 3 3
Solution:
Step 1. Change the fraction to similar fractions by using the LCD or least common denominator.

2 6
8 5 = 8 15

2 10
+ 3 3 = 3 15

Step 2. Add the whole numbers, the numerators and take the common denominator.

2 6
8 5 = 8 15

2 10
+ 3 3 = 3 15
-----------------------
16
11 15
Step 3. Reduce the sum to lowest term. The fractional part is an improper fraction; thus, we need to
regroup.
2 6
8 5 = 8 15

2 10
+ 3 = 3
3 15
-----------------------
16 1 2 2 1
11 15 = 12 15 Thus, 8 5 + 3 3 = 12 15

Subtracting Dissimilar Fractions

3 5
Example 4. Subtract : 9 5 – 5 6

Solution:
Step 1. Change the fractions to similar fractions using the LCD.

3 18
9 = 9
5 30

5 25
5 6 = 5 30

----------------

Step 2. Regroup the minuend because the fractional part of the subtrahend is greater than the
functional part of the minuend.

3 18 48
9 = 9 =8
5 30 30

5 25 25
5 = 5 =5
6 30 30

--------------------------

Step 3. Subtract the whole numbers, subtract the numerators, and take the common denominator.

3 18 48
9 5 = 9 30 = 8 30

5 25 25
5 6 = 5 30 = 5 30

--------------------------
23 3 5 𝟐𝟑
3 30 Thus, 9 5 – 5 6 = 3 𝟑𝟎
10
Example 5. Subtract : 12 - 715

Solution:
Step 1. Rename the whole number as mixed number.

10 15 10
12 - 7 = 11 - 7
15 15 15

Step 2. Subtract the whole numbers, subtract the numerators, and take the common denominator.
10 15 10 15−10 5
12 - 715 = 1115 - 715 = (11-7) 15
= 415

Step 3. Reduce the difference to its lowest term.

10 15 10 15−10 5 1 10 𝟏
12 - 715 = 1115 - 715 = (11-7) 15
= 415 = 43 Thus, 12 - 715 = 4𝟑
Multiplying Fractions

To multiply fractions, follow these steps:

1. Multiply the numerators; then, multiple the denominators.

2. Reduce the product to its lowest term.

To multiply mixed numbers, follow these steps:

1. Change the mixed numbers to improper fractions

2. Multiply the numerators; then multiply the denominators.
3. Reduce the product to its lowest term.

3 10 3 𝑥 10 30 1 3 10 1
Example 6. Multiply: 5
x 12
= 5 𝑥 12
= 60 = 2
Thus, 5 x 12
= 2

2 1
Example 7. Multiply : 25 x 1 4

Step 1. Change the mixed numbers to improper fractions.

2 1 12 5
25 x 1 4 = 5 x 4

Step 2. Multiply the numerators, then, multiply the denominators.

2 1 12 5 12 𝑥 5 60
2 x 1 = x = =
5 4 5 4 5𝑥4 20

Step 3. Reduce the product to its lowest term.

2 1 12 5 12 𝑥 5 60
2 x 1 = x = = =3
5 4 5 4 5𝑥4 20

2 1
Thus, 2 x 1 = 3
5 4

Dividing Fractions

To divide fractions, follow these steps:

1. Multiply the dividend by the reciprocal of the divisor.

2. Reduce the product to its lowest term.

To divide mixed numbers, follow these steps:

1. Change the mixed numbers to improper fractions.

2. Multiply the dividend by the reciprocal of the divisor.
3. Reduce the product to its lowest term.

5 1
Example 8. Divide: 19 ÷ 16
Solution:
Step 1. Change the mixed numbers to improper fractions.

5 1 14 7
19 ÷ 16 = 9
÷6

Step 2. Multiple the dividend by the reciprocal of the divisor.

5 1 14 7 14 6 14 𝑥 6 84
19 ÷ 16 = 9
÷6 9
x 7
= 9𝑥7
= 63

Step 3. Reduce the product to its lowest term.

5 1 14 7 14 6 14 𝑥 6 84 4 1 5 1 𝟏
19 ÷ 16 = 9 ÷ 6 9 x 7 = 9 𝑥 7 = 63 = 3
or 1 3 Thus, 19 ÷ 16 =1 𝟑