Chapter 4
Figuring Out Fractions
IN THIS CHAPTER
Looking at multiplication and division of fractions
Adding and subtracting fractions in a bunch of different ways
Applying the Big Four operations to mixed numbers
Fractions have a few important properties that are worth knowing right from the start. For instance, when the numerator (top number) and the denominator (bottom number) are equal, the fraction equals 1. When the numerator is less than the denominator, the fraction is less than 1. Fractions like these are called proper fractions. Positive proper fractions are always between 0 and 1.
However, when the numerator is greater than the denominator, the fraction is greater than 1. Any fraction that’s greater than 1 is called an improper fraction. It’s customary to convert an improper fraction to a mixed number, especially when it’s the final answer to a problem. A mixed number is a combination of a whole number and a proper fraction added together.
In this chapter, the focus is on applying the Big Four operations to fractions. I start out by showing you how to multiply and divide fractions, which isn’t much more difficult than multiplying whole numbers. Surprisingly, adding and ...
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