Fractions

We understand how to count the integers and how the order of operations work for them. But what happens if the items that we're working with are not in whole parts? If someone ate one slice of your pizza, how much do you have left? We certainly do not have 1 pizza, but neither do we have 0 pizzas.

Fractions are numbers defined by division, used to represent any number of equal parts of a whole. They are real numbers of the form $\frac { p }{ q },$ where $p$ and $q$ are integers. The number of parts is given by the number at the top (above the horizontal bar of the fraction), called the numerator; the number of pieces that make up the whole, which tells us their size, is described by the denominator, the number at the bottom (below the horizontal bar). Thus, in the fraction $\frac{2}{3}$ (read as "two thirds" and written as "two-thirds"), 2 is the numerator and 3 is the denominator. This tells us that there are two parts, and each of them is one-third of a whole.

Let us explore the concept of fractions, and understand how it is used to solve various problems.

The part shaded blue below is a visual representation of two-thirds:

two thirds filled in

Proceeding step by step, we can see why $\frac{2}{3}$ looks like the image above:

1. Begin with an entire object or unit: $1$.
   unit

2. Divide it according to the denominator $($here we are dividing by $3): \frac{1}{3}$.
   divide

3. Multiply that result according to the numerator $($here we multiply by $2): \frac{2}{3}$.
   result

A proper fraction is one with the numerator less than the denominator, e.g. $\frac{4}{5}.$

An improper fraction is one with the numerator greater than the denominator, e.g. $\frac{7}{4}.$

A mixed number is written as a whole number part followed by a fractional part. The fractional part of a mixed number is always a proper fraction, e.g. $4\frac{1}{3}.$

To multiply fractions, we follow these steps:

1. Multiply the numerators.
2. Multiply the denominators.
3. Simplify the fraction by dividing throughout by their GCD.

Evaluate $\frac{ 2}{3} \times \frac{ 9}{ 4 }$.

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Multiplying the numerators and denominators, we get

$$\dfrac{2}{3} \times \dfrac{9}{4} = \dfrac{ 2 \times 9 } { 3 \times 4} = \dfrac{ 18 } { 12 } .$$

Since $\gcd(12, 18) = 6$, the simplified fraction is

$$\dfrac{18}{12} = \dfrac{ 18 \div 6 } { 12 \div 6 } = \dfrac{3}{2}.$$

Thus $\frac{2}{3} \times \frac{9}{4} = \frac{3}{2}$. $_\square$

If the fraction is a mixed fraction, then we must first convert it into an improper fraction before multiplying.

Evaluate $1 \frac{2}{3} \times 2 \frac{ 3}{4}$.

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Converting the mixed fractions into improper fractions, we have

$$1 \dfrac{2}{3} = \dfrac{ 1 \times 3 + 2 } { 3} = \dfrac{5}{3}, \quad 2 \dfrac{3}{4} = \dfrac{ 2 \times 4 + 3 } { 4} = \dfrac{11}{4}.$$

Hence,

$$1 \dfrac{2}{3} \times 2 \dfrac{3}{4} = \dfrac{5}{3} \times \dfrac{ 11}{4} = \dfrac{5 \times 11 } { 3 \times 4 } = \dfrac{55}{12} .$$

Since the greatest common divisor of $55$ and $12$ is $1,$ the final answer is $\frac{55}{12}$. $_\square$

Note that

$$1 \dfrac{2}{3} \times 2 \dfrac{3} {4} \neq ( 1 \times 2) \dfrac{ 2 \times 3 } { 3 \times 4} = 2 \dfrac{1}{2}.$$

Simplify $$\dfrac{4}{5} \times 3 \dfrac{3}{2}.$$

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Converting the mixed fraction into an improper fraction, we have $3 \frac{3}{2} = \frac{3 \times 2 + 3}{2} = \frac{9}{2}.$ Hence,

$$\dfrac{4}{5} \times 3 \dfrac{3}{2} = \dfrac{4}{5} \times \dfrac{9}{2} =\dfrac{4 \times 9}{5 \times 2}= \dfrac{36}{10}= \dfrac{18}{5},$$

where we simplified the fraction by dividing both the numerator and denominator by $\gcd(36, 10) = 2 .$ $_\square$

Evaluate $\frac{2}{3} \times 1 \frac{3}{4} \times \frac{6}{5} .$

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Converting the mixed fraction into an improper fraction, we have $1 \frac{3}{4} = \frac{7}{4}.$ Hence,

$$\dfrac{2}{3} \times \dfrac{7}{4} \times \dfrac{6}{5} = \dfrac{2 \times 7 \times 6}{3 \times 4 \times 5} = \dfrac{84}{60} = \dfrac{7}{5} ,$$

where we simplified the fraction by dividing both the numerator and denominator by $\gcd(84, 60) =12 .$ $_\square$

To add fractions, we follow these steps:

1. Convert to a common denominator using the lowest common multiple.
2. Add the numerators.
3. Simplify the fraction by dividing throughout by the greatest common divisor.

Evaluate $\frac{2}{3} + \frac{4}{5}$.

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Since the denominators are different, we have to find a common denominator. The lowest common multiple of 3 and 5 is 15, so we have $\frac{2}{3} = \frac{ 2 \times 5 } { 3 \times 5 } = \frac{10}{15}$ and $\frac{4}{5} = \frac{4 \times 3 } { 5 \times 3 } = \frac{ 12}{15}$.

Then, we add the numerators to get

$$\frac{10}{15} + \frac{12}{15} = \frac{22}{15} .$$

Since $\gcd(22, 15) = 1$, this fraction is already simplified.

Thus, $\frac{2}{3} + \frac{4}{5} = \frac{22}{15} = 1 \frac{7}{15}$. $_\square$

The procedure is similar for mixed fractions, but we must convert to an improper fraction first.

Alternatively, it can be simpler to add the integers and the fractional parts separately.

Evaluate $1 \frac{2}{3} + 2 \frac{5}{6}$.

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Converting to improper fractions, we have $1 \frac{2}{3} = \frac{1 \times 3 + 2 } { 3} = \frac{5}{3}$ and $2 \frac{5}{6} = \frac{2 \times 6 + 5 } { 6} = \frac{17}{6}$.

Since the denominators are different, we make a common denominator of $6$. This gives us

$$\frac{5}{3} + \frac{17}{6} = \frac{ 5 \times 2 } { 3 \times 2 } + \frac{17}{6} = \frac{27} { 6}$$

Finally, we simplify the fraction. Since $\gcd(27, 6) = 3$, hence we divide throughout by 3 to get $\frac{27 \div 3 } { 6 \div 3} = \frac{9}{2}$.

Thus, $1 \frac{2}{3} + 2 \frac{5}{6} = \frac{9}{2} = 4 \frac{1}{2}$. $_\square$

Evaluate $2 \frac{3}{4} + 1\frac{1}{2}.$

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Converting each term to improper fractions, we have $2 \frac{3}{4} = \frac{2 \times 4 + 3}{4} = \frac{11}{3}$ and $1\frac{1}{2} = \frac{1\times2+1}{2}=\frac{3}{2}.$

Since the denominators are different, we make a common denominator of $6.$ This gives us

$$2 \frac{3}{4} + 1\frac{1}{2} = \frac{11}{3} + \frac{3}{2} = \frac{11 \times 2}{3 \times 2} + \frac{3 \times 3 }{2 \times 3} = \frac{22 + 9}{6} = \frac{31}{6} . \ _\square$$

Evaluate $3\frac{1}{2} + 2\frac{2}{3} + 1\frac{3}{4}.$

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Converting each term to improper fractions, we have $3\frac{1}{2} = \frac{3\times2+1}{2} = \frac{7}{2}, 2\frac{2}{3} = \frac{2\times3 + 2}{3} = \frac{8}{3}$ and $1\frac{3}{4} = \frac{1\times4+3}{4}=\frac{7}{4}.$

Since the denominators are different, we make a common denominator of $12.$ This gives us

$$\begin{aligned} 3\frac{1}{2} + 2\frac{2}{3} + 1\frac{3}{4} &= \frac{7}{2} + \frac{8}{3} + \frac{7}{4} \\ &= \frac{7\times6}{2\times6} + \frac{8\times4}{3\times4}+\frac{7\times3}{4\times3} \\ &= \frac{42+32+21}{12} \\ &= \frac{95}{12}. \end{aligned}$$

Since $\gcd(95,12) = 1 ,$ this fraction is already simplified.

Thus, $3\frac{1}{2} + 2\frac{2}{3} + 1\frac{3}{4} = \frac{95}{12} = 7\frac{11}{12}.$ $_ \square$

Given a sequence of operations on proper fractions, possibly including multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction, we first figure out the order to carry out the sequence of operations by following the usual rules for order of operations.

What is $\frac{1}{4} + \frac{2}{3} - \frac{3}{5}?$

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Gathering the fractions using the least common multiple of the denominators, we have

$$\begin{aligned} \frac{1}{4} + \frac{2}{3} - \frac{3}{5} &= \frac{15}{60} + \frac{40}{60} - \frac{36}{60}\\\\ &= \frac{15 + 40 - 36}{60}\\ & = \frac{19}{60}. \end{aligned}$$

Since the greatest common divisor of $19$ and $60$ is 1, the final answer is $\frac{19}{60}$. $_\square$

What is $\frac{1}{3} + \frac{2}{5} \div \frac{6}{5}?$

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Following order of operations, we must divide first, so we have $\frac{1}{3} + \left( \frac{2}{5} \div \frac{6}{5} \right) = \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{3} = \frac{2}{3}$. Thus the answer is $\frac{2}{3}$. $_\square$

What is $\frac{20}{3} -\frac{1}{9} \div \left[ \frac{3}{7} \times \left( - \frac{1}{4} \right) \times \left( -\frac{2}{3} \right)^2 \right]?$

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Following order of operations, we first evaluate the quantity in the parenthesis, which gives

$$\begin{aligned} \frac{20}{3} -\frac{1}{9} \div \left[ \frac{3}{7} \times \left( - \frac{1}{4} \right) \times \left( -\frac{2}{3} \right)^2 \right] &= \frac{20}{3} -\frac{1}{9} \div \left[ \frac{3}{7} \times \left( - \frac{1}{4} \right) \times \left( \frac{4}{9} \right) \right]\\ &= \frac{20}{3} -\frac{1}{9} \div \left[ \frac{3}{7} \times \left( - \frac{1}{9} \right) \right]\\ &= \frac{20}{3} + \frac{1}{9} \div \left[ \frac{3}{63} \right]\\ &= \frac{20}{3} + \left( \frac{1}{9} \times \frac{63}{3} \right)\\ &= \frac{20}{3} + \left( \frac{7}{3} \right)\\ &= \frac{27}{3}\\ & = 9.\ _\square \end{aligned}$$

Main Article: Complex Fractions

A complex fraction is a fraction with another fraction in the numerator or denominator (or both). Below is an example of a complex fraction:

$$\frac{1-\frac{1}{x}}{1+\frac{1}{x}}.$$

Complex fractions should not be confused with fractions involving complex numbers.

Simplify

$$\frac{\hspace{2mm} \frac23 \hspace{2mm} }{\hspace{2mm} \frac27\hspace{2mm} }.$$

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We can multiply both the numerator and the denominator by 21, which is the LCM of $3$ and $7.$ Then

$$\frac{\frac{2}{3}\times 21}{\frac{2}{7}\times 21} = \frac{2 \times 7}{2 \times 3} = \frac{14}{6} = \frac{7}{3} = 2 \frac{1}{3}. \ _ \square$$

To be able to solve word problems with fractions, you must firstly be able to solve regular word problems by translating common language to math. The SAT Translating Word Problems wiki gives a great insight of how this can be done. Give it a look if you're not familiar with word problems.

Fractions can be of great use in more realistic scenarios in which part of a total must be calculated. Chemical solutions, for example, use a great deal of fraction to calculate parts of a total, and just like problems that deal with solutions, any other problem which must differentiate or do any other process with parts of a total can usually be solved and simplified by the correct use of fractions.

Fractions can be given directly in a word problem $\big($e.g. $\frac{7}{10}$ of the human body is composed of water$\big)$ or by common language, with no numbers representing it. In that case you must be able to search and identify keywords which refer to fractions, which are usually the same ones that refer to division since they're technically the same operation.

The final math exam will be 1 hour long. The teacher said that the whole test could be read in 5 minutes, each question answered in 2 minutes, and the work reviewed with the time that's left. If the test has 20 questions, then what fraction of the time to do the test can be used to review it?

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Considering the problem has been read, we must identify what's been asked by it. The problem is requiring us to get the fraction of time that can be used to review from the total time the test has to be done. So here we need two things: the time to review the test (numerator) from the total test time (denominator):

$$\frac{\text{Time to review the test}}{\text{Test time}}.$$

The time to review the test is not given, so we must figure that out. The total test time is 1 hour. Each hour has 60 minutes. Because everything else done in the test is given in minutes, we must have both units in the same measure to be able to correctly compare them. So the hours must be converted to minutes:

$$\begin{aligned} \text{Test time} &= 1 \text{hour} \\\\ 1 \text{ hour} &= 60 \text{ minutes} \\\\ \text{Test time} &= 60 \text{ minutes} \\\\ \frac{\text{Time to review the test}}{\text{Test time}} &= \frac{\text{Time to review the test}}{60 \text{ minutes}}. \end{aligned}$$

Now we must find the time to review the test. The time to review is the time that's left after everything else is done since, according to the problem, "the work [is] reviewed with the time that's left." To find the time that's left, we must find the time that's used. 5 minutes of the test are going to be used to read it and 2 minutes to read each question. There are 20 questions, so $2 \text{ minutes} \times 20$ minutes are going to be used to do the questions. Out of the total of 1 hour, that's the time that'll be left:

$$\begin{aligned} \text{Time to review the test} &= 60 \text{ minutes} - 5 \text{ minutes} - 2 \text{ minutes} \times 20 \\\\ &= 55 \text{ minutes} - 40 \text{ minutes} \\\\ &= 15 \text{ minutes}. \end{aligned}$$

Now we have the numerator and denominator:

$$\frac{\text{Time to review the test}}{\text{Test time}}= \frac{15 \text{ minutes}}{60 \text{ minutes}} = \frac{1}{4}.$$

So the answer is $\frac{1}{4}$. $_\square$

Problems with basic addition and subtraction tasks are relatively simple to analyze and identify the underlying procedures to solve for it. Other problems, however, may require a deeper contextual understanding, so further correlations between given data may be identified.

How many $\frac{1}{7}$'s are there in $10 \frac{2}{5}?$

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Measuring one number by another is just division, so the question is equivalent to asking for $10\frac{2}{5} \div \frac{1}{7}$.

Converting the mixed number to an improper fraction and performing the operation, we get

$$\begin{aligned} 10\frac{2}{5} \div \frac{1}{7} &= \frac{52}{5} \div \frac{1}{7} \\ &= \frac{52}{5} \times 7 \\ &= \frac{364}{5}.\ _\square \end{aligned}$$

• Converting Decimals and Fractions
• Reciprocals
• Irrational Numbers