Kinds of Fractions

There are different kinds of fractions: a proper fraction, an improper fraction, and a mixed
fraction.

Proper Fraction
A proper fraction is a fraction whose numerator is smaller than the denominator. This
fraction shows a value which is less than one (1).

Examples: ⅓, ⅘, 8/11

Improper Fraction
An improper fraction is a fraction whose numerator is bigger than the denominator. This
fraction shows a value that is more than one (1).

Examples: 3/2, 5/4, 101/99

Mixed Number
It is a fraction written as the sum of a counting number and a proper fraction.

Examples: 1 ⅔, 4 ¼, 8 ⅖

Operations on Fractions
We can perform different operations on fractions.

Addition and Subtraction of Fractions

In adding or subtracting similar fractions, copy their common denominator and add or
subtract their numerators.
Closer Look

Example 1
5 3 2
− =
11 11 11

Example 2
8 4 5 8
+ − =
17 17 17 17

In adding or subtracting dissimilar fractions, find the lowest common multiple (LCM) first.
Then, express the fractions into its equivalent with the LCM as the denominator. Finally,
add or subtract their numerators.
 Closer Look

Example 1
4 2 4 6 10 1
+ = + = ∨1
9 3 9 9 9 9

Example 2
5 1 55 6 49
− = − =
6 11 66 66 66

Example 3
2 1 3 8 6 9 5
+ − = + − =
3 2 4 12 12 12 12

Multiplication of Fractions
a c ac
If a, b, c, and d are real numbers, and b and d are not equal to zero, then ⋅ = .
b d bd

Closer Look

Example 1
3 5 15
⋅ =
7 11 77

Example 2
6 1 6
⋅ =
19 5 95

Example 3
3 1 4 12
⋅ ⋅ =
4 6 5 120

Example 4
2 3 6
⋅ =
11 5 55
 Example 5
1 5 3 15 1
⋅ ⋅ = ∨
3 6 5 90 6

Division of Fractions
a c a d ad
If a, b, c, and d are real numbers, and b and d are not equal to zero, then ÷ = ⋅ = .
b d b c bc
Closer Look

Example 1
3 1 3 2 6 3 1
÷ = ⋅ = ∨ ∨1
4 2 4 1 4 2 2

Example 2
5 3 5 8 40 13
÷ = ⋅ = ∨1
9 8 9 3 27 27

Example 3

( ) ( )
4 2 4 4 2 7 4 7 4 18 72
÷ ÷ = ÷ ⋅ = ÷ = ⋅ = ∨2
5 9 7 5 9 4 5 18 5 7 35
2
35

Problems Involving Fractions

We can use our knowledge about fractions to solve some problems. We can solve them by
following these steps:

Step 1: Make a representation of the unknown number using variables.

Step 2: Analyze the problem and identify the operation needed to solve for
the unknown or variable.

Step 3: Perform the necessary operation and solve for the unknown.

Step 4: (Optional) You can check if your answer is correct by solving the
equation and using the value you get to replace the variable.
Closer Look

Let X represent the unknown number.

Example 1
2
6 is 3 of what number?

2
Solution: 6 = 3 X

6
=X
2
3

3
6 ⋅ =X
2

9=X

Example 2

1
2
of 60 is _____.

1
Solution: 2 ⋅60=X

30 = X
Example 3
 1 2
What is 5 of 3 ?

1 2
Solution: 5 ⋅ 3 =X

2
15
=X

Example 4

3 1
Athena bought 5 4 kg of chicken in the market. Of these, 2 2 kg

of chicken was fried and 1 kg was used for adobo. How many
kilograms of chicken were left?

3
(
Solution: X = 5 4 − 2 2 +1
1
)
3
( 1)
X = 5 4− 3 2

3 2
X = 5 4 −3 4

1
X=24

1
● 2 kg of chicken was left.
4

Example 5

1 3
Anthony bought 8 4 kg of macadamia nuts, 5 4 kg of pili nuts,

5
and 5 6 kg of almond nuts for his cookies. How many nuts does

she have?

1 3 5
Solution: X = 8 4 +5 4 +5 6
 3 9 10
X = 8 12 +5 12 +5 12

22 10
X = 18 12 ∨19 12

10
● Anthony has 19 12 kg of nuts.

Example 6

2
If 1kg of flour costs Php 60, how much does 4 3 kg of flour

costs?

2 14
Solution: X = 60 ⋅4 3 =60⋅ 3 = 280

2
● 4 kg of flour will cost Php 280.
3

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Adding and Subtracting Decimals

When we add decimals, you have to align the decimal points of each of the addends. The
addends are added just as if we are adding whole numbers. The decimal point of the sum
is aligned to the decimal points of the addends. The same is true in finding the difference
between decimals.

Closer Look

Example 1
Add 203.5, 12.75, 49.8, and 6.128
203.5
12.75
49.8
+ 6.128
=272.178
 Example 2
DIfference between 843.2 and 372.75
843.20
- 372.75
=470.45

Multiplying Decimals
We multiply the numbers the same way we multiply whole numbers. Count the total
number of digits after the decimal point in both the multiplicand and the multiplier, and
the total is the number of decimal places in the product.

Dividing Decimals
In dividing decimal numbers, it is easier if the divisor is a whole number. Otherwise, make
the divisor a whole number by multiplying it by a multiple of 10. The dividend must also be
multiplied by the same multiple of 10. Then perform division in the same way we divide the
whole numbers.

When dividing a decimal number by a whole number, simply perform division as if both are
whole numbers. In the quotient, put a decimal point above the decimal point of the
dividend. When dividing a decimal or whole number by a decimal number, move the
decimal point in the dividend as many places to the right as there are decimal places in the
divisor before proceeding with division.