1.
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Write the numbers HORIZONTALLY (across the page).
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2.
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ARE THERE ANY WHOLE OR MIXED NUMBERS?
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YES: Continue below...
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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.
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3.
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CAN YOU CANCEL?
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YES: Continue below...
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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.
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4.
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DO the Multiplication:
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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.
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5.
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IS THE FRACTION IN LOWEST TERMS?
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NO: Continue below...
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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.
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6.
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Check your answer.
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