How do you do a fraction?

Answer 1

In mathematics, Fractions are used to express parts of a whole.

In general written as a Numerator/Denominator. For example 1/2.

It can also be thought of as division.

A complex Fraction is a whole number and a fraction.

For example: 3 1/2

However, the complex number can also can also be expressed as a fraction by multiplying the whole number by the denominator, and adding the numerator... then expressing the sum as the new numerator. So, in the example above.

3 1/2 = (3*2+1)/2 = 7/2

To add or subtract fractions, one must come up with a common denominator.

So... to add 1/2 + 1/3, one multiplies the numerator and denominator of 1/2 by 3/3 to get 3/6. And, 1/3 by 2/2 to get 2/6. You can then simply add the numerators. The whole number component of a complex fraction can be added separately.

So. 3/6+2/6 = (3+2)/6 = 5/6.

To multiply, you separately multiply the numerators and the denominators together (no need for a common denominator). However, one should express complex fractions as fractions (as above) before proceeding.

2/7 * 4/5 = (2*4)/(7*5) = 8/35

To divide, one flips the numerator and denominator of the second element, then simply multiply.

So (3/8) / (3/4) = (3/8) * (4/3) = (3*4) / (3*8) = 12/24 = 4/8 = 1/2.

Typically one should reduce the fractions so that the numerator and denominator have no common divisors (other than 1).