📚 Essential Fraction Rules

Rule 1: Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Same denominator: Add or subtract the numerators, keep the denominator the same.

Example: 2/5 + 1/5 = 3/5

Different denominators: Find a common denominator first, then add or subtract.

Example: 1/2 + 1/3 = 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6

Rule 2: Multiplying Fractions

Multiply straight across: numerator × numerator, denominator × denominator.

Example: 2/3 × 1/4 = 2/12 = 1/6 (simplified)

Rule 3: Dividing Fractions

Multiply by the reciprocal: Flip the second fraction and multiply.

Example: 1/2 ÷ 1/4 = 1/2 × 4/1 = 4/2 = 2

Rule 4: Simplifying Fractions

Find the greatest common factor (GCF): Divide both numerator and denominator by their GCF.

Example: 8/12 = 2/3 (divided both by 4)

📖 Fraction Vocabulary

Numerator: The top number in a fraction that shows how many parts we have.

Denominator: The bottom number in a fraction that shows how many equal parts the whole is divided into.

Proper Fraction: A fraction where the numerator is smaller than the denominator (e.g., 3/4).

Improper Fraction: A fraction where the numerator is equal to or larger than the denominator (e.g., 5/3).

Mixed Number: A whole number and a fraction combined (e.g., 1 2/3).

Equivalent Fractions: Fractions that represent the same value (e.g., 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6).

Common Denominator: A shared denominator when adding or subtracting fractions with different denominators.

Reciprocal: A fraction flipped upside down (e.g., the reciprocal of 2/3 is 3/2).

✏️ Quick Practice Questions