Adding and Subtracting: Fractions and Mixed Numbers

Front

What is a fraction?

Back

A fraction represents a part of a whole. It consists of a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number). For example, in the fraction 1/2, 1 is the part and 2 is the whole.

Front

What does it mean to simplify a fraction?

Back

Simplifying a fraction means reducing it to its lowest terms, where the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1. For example, 4/8 simplifies to 1/2.

Front

What is a mixed number?

Back

A mixed number is a whole number combined with a fraction. For example, 2 1/2 is a mixed number, where 2 is the whole number and 1/2 is the fraction.

Front

How do you add fractions with the same denominator?

Back

To add fractions with the same denominator, keep the denominator the same and add the numerators. For example, 1/4 + 2/4 = (1+2)/4 = 3/4.

Front

How do you subtract fractions with the same denominator?

Back

To subtract fractions with the same denominator, keep the denominator the same and subtract the numerators. For example, 3/5 - 1/5 = (3-1)/5 = 2/5.

Front

What is the least common denominator (LCD)?

Back

The least common denominator is the smallest number that can be used as a common denominator for two or more fractions. For example, the LCD of 1/3 and 1/4 is 12.

Front

How do you add fractions with different denominators?

Back

To add fractions with different denominators, first find the least common denominator (LCD), convert the fractions to equivalent fractions with the LCD, and then add the numerators.

Front

What is an equivalent fraction?

Back

An equivalent fraction is a fraction that represents the same value as another fraction, even though the numerator and denominator are different. For example, 1/2 and 2/4 are equivalent fractions.

Front

How do you convert a mixed number to an improper fraction?

Back

To convert a mixed number to an improper fraction, multiply the whole number by the denominator, add the numerator, and place that result over the original denominator. For example, 2 1/3 = (2*3 + 1)/3 = 7/3.

Front

What is the process to subtract a fraction from a whole number?

Back

To subtract a fraction from a whole number, convert the whole number to a fraction with the same denominator as the fraction being subtracted, then perform the subtraction.