Fractions: What Do I Do?
Step 1: Look at the math sign.
Add or subtract
Make the bottom numbers the same.
Then add or subtract the top numbers.
Example
38+14
Need 8 on the bottom. 4 × 2 = 8
Change the second fraction:
1 × 24 × 2=28
Now:
38+28=58
Can I simplify? No. Only 1 goes into 5 and 8. Done.
Multiply
Multiply straight across.
- Top × top
- Bottom × bottom
58×4
Whole number? Put it over 1.
58×41=208
Now check: can I simplify? 4 goes into 20 and 8.
208÷ 4 →52
Top bigger than the bottom? Make a mixed number.
52=212
Divide
Keep – Change – Flip
- Keep the first fraction.
- Change ÷ to ×.
- Flip the second fraction.
58÷23
→
58×32=1516
Can I simplify? No. Only 1 goes into 15 and 16. Done.
When you are done
Ask: Can I simplify?
- Can the top and bottom both divide by the same number?
- If yes, divide both by that number. Then ask again.
- If no, you are done.
Ask: Is the top bigger than the bottom?
- If yes, write it as a mixed number. Wholes = top ÷ bottom. What's left over goes over the same bottom.