Workplace Math and PLAR Prep

Fractions

A fraction is a part of a whole. A penny is a fraction of a dollar. It is 1 of the 100 equal parts of a dollar or 1/100 (one hundredth) of a dollar.

Five days are a fraction of a week. They are 5 of the 7 equal parts of a week or 5/7 of a week Fractions describe part of a number.

Fractions have two parts:

Numerator - tells how many parts you have.
Denominator - tells how many parts in the whole.

Think of nu in numerator as the “Nu” for the number up and d in denominator as the “D” for the number down.

The line between means division.

Fractions are parts or divisions of a whole. The denominator divides the numerator.

Note: Fractions are shown in this form ½ and sometimes this way 1:2

Equivalent Fractions

Equivalent fractions are fractions that:

Are equivalent or equal to each other.
Have the same value.
Look different.
May be in lower terms or higher terms.

Fractions with same denominators

Adding Fractions

To add fractions with the same denominator, add only the numerators and put the sum over the denominator.

For example: Add 2/8 + 3/8

Subtracting Fractions

To subtract fractions with the same denominator, subtract only the numerators and put the difference over the denominator.

For example: Subtract 5/10 - 3/10 (Write answer in simplest form.)

Proper Fractions

Proper fractions are fractions that are less than 1.

1/3, 3/4, 4/7, and 5/9 are all examples of proper fractions
The numerator is smaller than the denominator.

Improper Fractions

Improper fractions are fractions that are equal to or greater than 1.

2/2, 4/4, 6/5 and 12/7 are examples of improper fractions
The numerator of an improper fraction is the same as or larger than the denominator.

Mixed Numbers

A mixed number is made up of a whole number and a fraction.

Adding Mixed Numbers

When mixed numbers are added, answers need to be renamed and put in the simplest form.

Subtracting Mixed Numbers

In order to subtract a mixed number from a whole number, the whole number needs to be renamed as a mixed number. Make the denominator of its fraction the same as the denominator of the other fraction.