Fractions: Elementary Arithmetic and Pizza
Fractions are ways to represent parts of a whole. Common fractions are ½ and ¾. These are proper or regular fractions. Some fractions are called mixed numbers. These are represented by a whole number with a fraction (proper fraction). 1 ½ and 2 ¾ are good examples. An improper fraction has a larger number on the top than on the bottom, such as 9/8. I will explain how to convert these fractions to decimals. I will show you how to change an improper fraction to a mixed number. Operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) will be explained as well.
CONVERSIONS
This section will explain how to convert a fraction into a decimal. First, let's get an example fraction. How about 3/8? To find a decimal, divide the numerator (top number) by the denominator (bottom number). So we would divide 3 by 8. 3)8=0.375 or .38. Lets do another. Try 1/3. 1)3=.33333... So 1/3 is equal to about.33.
Next comes the mixed numbers to the improper fractions . All you do is multiply the denominator by the whole number and add the numerator. This is the numerator of the improper fraction. You keep the same denominator. Let's try 2¾. Four times two is eight. Eight plus three is eleven. Keep the denominator and you have 11/4. Now to convert the improper fraction into a mixed number. You need to remember, keep the same denominator. 9/2=4½. 2 goes into 9 4 times. There is 1 left over. So, it equals 4½.
OPERATIONS
First, I will explain how to add like fractions, then, unlike fractions. Let's say you have ¾ of a pizza and ¼ of a pizza. How much pizza do you have? When adding fractions, you NEVER add the denominators. Just the numerators. So you add 3 plus 1. You get 4, which presents another problem. You now have 4/4. Any number over itself equals 1. Any number over 1 equals itself. Confused? So 1/1 or 3/3 equals 1. 4/1 and 5868567/1 equal 4 and 5868567, respectively. You have one whole pizza by combining the two fractions, or pieces, of pizza. Now comes the harder one. Lets
CONVERSIONS
This section will explain how to convert a fraction into a decimal. First, let's get an example fraction. How about 3/8? To find a decimal, divide the numerator (top number) by the denominator (bottom number). So we would divide 3 by 8. 3)8=0.375 or .38. Lets do another. Try 1/3. 1)3=.33333... So 1/3 is equal to about.33.
Next comes the mixed numbers to the improper fractions . All you do is multiply the denominator by the whole number and add the numerator. This is the numerator of the improper fraction. You keep the same denominator. Let's try 2¾. Four times two is eight. Eight plus three is eleven. Keep the denominator and you have 11/4. Now to convert the improper fraction into a mixed number. You need to remember, keep the same denominator. 9/2=4½. 2 goes into 9 4 times. There is 1 left over. So, it equals 4½.
OPERATIONS
First, I will explain how to add like fractions, then, unlike fractions. Let's say you have ¾ of a pizza and ¼ of a pizza. How much pizza do you have? When adding fractions, you NEVER add the denominators. Just the numerators. So you add 3 plus 1. You get 4, which presents another problem. You now have 4/4. Any number over itself equals 1. Any number over 1 equals itself. Confused? So 1/1 or 3/3 equals 1. 4/1 and 5868567/1 equal 4 and 5868567, respectively. You have one whole pizza by combining the two fractions, or pieces, of pizza. Now comes the harder one. Lets