Reducing Fractions
All fractions must be reduced to low-
est terms.
Fractions are in lowest terms if the
only whole number you can divide
both num erator and denominator by
is 1 (one).
Divide num erator and denominator
by the same factor until you have it
reduc ed to lowest terms.
DIVIDING Fractions
Change all fractions to im proper
fractions.
Find the reciproc al of the SECOND
fraction, which means flip it upside
down. What was in the num erator,
will now be the denominator, and
what was in the denom inator will
now be the numer ator.
Multiply the fir st fraction and the
new (flipped) second fr action.
If nec essary, turn the im proper frac-
tion into a mixed number.
If nec essary, reduce the frac tion.
ADDING Fractions
Add the whole num bers: if you are
working with mixed num bers, add
the whole number amounts.
Get a c ommon denominator: Find
the LCM of the denominators in the
problem.
Add the numerators.
Reduc e: reduc e your answer, con-
verting to a mixed num ber if nec es-
sary.
No answer may be left as a mixed
number with an improper fr action --
these MUST be conver ted to proper
mixed numbers.
multiplying Fractions
Change all mixed numbers to im-
proper fractions.
Reduc e top to bottom or diagonally
(it is called CROSS CANCELING).
Multiply num erators, then denomi-
nator s.
Reduc e.
Converting improper fractions
to mixed numbers
Divide the num erator by the denomi-
nator.
The remainder becom es the fraction
part of your mixed number.
Som etim es when adding fractions,
you might get a mixed num ber/
improper fraction com bo. You must
change the im proper fraction to a
mixed number and combine the
whole number am ounts.

GREATEST common factor
If you divide both the numer ator
and the denominator by the same
number, the fraction will not change.
You will reduce the fr action by creat-
ing an equivalent fraction.
Greatest Common Factor is the
number that the numerator and the
denominator of the sam e fraction
“have in common” - they are both
divisible by it.
subtracting Fractions
Borr owing: If the sec ond fraction is
larger than the first, borrow the
amount of the denominator.
Subtract the whole numbers: if you
are working with mixed numbers,
subtract the whole number amounts.
Write that whole number in the an-
swer.

The largest number that both the
denominator and the num erator can
be divided by is called the Greatest
Comm on Factor.
Factor
Get a c ommon denominator: Find
the LCM of the denominators in the
problem

Subtract the num erators.

Use the GCF to reduce fr actions!

Reduce: reduce your answer, con-

verting to a mixed num ber if nec es-
sary.

LEAST common multiple

If you multiply both the numer ator and the

denominator by the same num ber, the fraction
will not change. You will create Converting mixed numbers
an equivalent fraction. to improper fractions

Multiply the whole number by the

Least Comm on Multiple is the num ber that denominator.
the denominators of the two frac tions (that you
are adding or subtracting) “have in common” -
it is the product of their multiplication by
other numbers. You will find it by looking at Add this to the numerator.
the multiplication table.

Look at the multiplication table, find all the

multiples of each of the denominators. The Write the new fraction using the
smallest number that occurs in each line is the original denominator and new nu-
L east Comm on Multiple.
Multiple merator.

Use the L CM to find a comm on denominator

for adding and subtracting fractions!!