|
1.
|
Write the numbers HORIZONTALLY (across the page).
Go to the NEXT step...
|
|
|
2.
|
ARE THERE ANY WHOLE OR MIXED NUMBERS?
|
YES: Continue below...
|
|
|
Change whole or mixed numbers to improper fractions.
- Write a WHOLE NUMBER OVER ONE in the denominator.
(Any number divided by one is still itself.) - To change a MIXED NUMBER to an improper fraction:
MULTIPLY THE DENOMINATOR
(bottom number = the number of pieces in each whole thing) TIMES THE WHOLE NUMBER;
THEN ADD THE NUMERATOR (top number = the number of extra pieces)
Write this total OVER the original denominator (the total number of those-sized pieces in all).
- Repeat with the other fraction.
Go to the NEXT step...
|
|
|
3.
|
CAN YOU CANCEL?
|
|
YES: Continue below...
|
|
|
SIMPLIFY:
Eliminate common factors.
- Divide ANY single numerator and ANY single denominator by the SAME NUMBER (a common factor);
- Cross out the original and write the new numbers for each (remember to write the amount that's LEFT and not the common factor by which you'd divided).
- Repeat as many times as possible; by sure to use one numerator and one denominator each time.
Go to the NEXT step...
|
|
|
4.
|
DO the Multiplication:
|
MULTIPLY ACROSS:
- The PRODUCT of the NUMERATORS is the top number of the answer;
- The PRODUCT of the DENOMINATORS is the bottom number of the answer.
Go to the NEXT step...
|
|
|
5.
|
IS THE FRACTION IN LOWEST TERMS?
|
NO: Continue below...
|
|
|
Improper fraction:
(Top number is greater than the bottom
number.)
- Divide the top BY the BOTTOM;
- Write any
remainder as the numerator and use the same denominator.
Simplify the fraction:
- Divide both the numerator and the denominator by the same number.
- Repeat
until the only common factor is one.
Go to the NEXT step...
|
|
|
6.
|
Check your answer.
|
|
