|
| |
|
Tips and Tricks for Learning Fractions
|
back |
Fractions are a concept that most young children find hard to comprehend – especially certain aspects of fractions such as improper and mixed fractions. Learning the fundamental concepts of fractions is extremely essential for students since it forms the basis of Pre-algebra and algebra later on.
Our math tutors at  – a high-quality, one-on-one Online Tutoring firm – have created the following tips to understand the concepts of fractions better. Treat this as a cheat sheet and keep with you while you are learning fractions. Our tutors have helped hundreds of children learn fraction through explaining concepts and providing numerous drill-questions and story problems. |
| What are fractions? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Fractions are a part of a whole number or a group of numbers. Fractions are always a number between two whole numbers – between 0 and 1, 1 and 2, and so on.
For instance, ½ is a fraction where
1 ® Numerator
2 ® Denominator This fraction means 1 part out of 2 parts or one-half. |
|
| |
 |
|
Tip 1: In such fractions, the bigger the difference between numerator and denominator, the smaller the value of the fraction. |
|
So, 1/9 is smaller than 1/7
1/7 is smaller than 1/6
1/6 is smaller than ¼
¼ is smaller than ½ and so on. The reason is simple. If you divide a pie into 9 parts, each part is going to be smaller than if you had divided the pie into 7 parts, which in turn will be smaller than if you had divided the pie into 4 parts. |
| What are like and unlike fractions? |
| Fractions with the same denominator are called like fractions and the ones with different denominators are called unlike fractions. |
 |
|
For instance,
¼ and ¾ are like fractions
¼ and 3/5 are unlike fractions |
|
| |
|
|
Tip 2: When comparing like fractions, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the bigger fraction. |
|
For instance,
Among ¼ and ¾ ® ¾ is the bigger fraction |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tip 3: When comparing fractions with same numerator, the fraction with the bigger denominator is the smaller fraction. |
|
For instance,
Among 2/5 and 2/7 ® 2/7 is the smaller fraction. |
| What are Equivalent fractions? |
Equivalent fractions are equal fractions – that mean the same thing, but are represented differently.
For instance, if we divide a pie into 2 halfs and take one-half OR if we divide a pie into 4 parts and take two part, we are ultimately taking the same amount of pie. So, ½ is same as 2/4. In other words, ½ and 2/4 are equivalent fractions. |
|
|
Tip 4: To find out if two fractions are equivalent or not, cross multiply them and if the resulting numerator and denominator are the same – the fractions are equivalent, otherwise they are not. |
|
For instance, let’s check
1/3 and 2/6
Cross multiply: Multiply numerator of one fraction with the denominator of the other.
1* 6 / 3*2
6 / 6
6/6 ® numerator and denominator are the same – so these are equivalent fractions.
½ and ¾
Cross multiply: Multiply numerator of one fraction with the denominator of the other.
1*4 / 2 * 3
4 / 6 4/6 ® numerator and denominator are not the same – so these are not equivalent fractions. |
| How do we reduce fractions? |
| Reducing fractions means simplifying fractions to their simplest form. This means you take the common multiples from both the numerator and denominator and what is left is the fraction in its simplest form. You do this by dividing the numerator and denominator by the same number. |
|
 |
|
For instance:
3/6
Divide both by the common multiple – which in this case is 3.
½
So, reduced form of 3/6 is ½.
9/30
Divide both by the common multiple – which in this case is 3.
3/10 So, reduced form of 9/30 is 3/10. |
| What are improper fractions? |
Fractions where the numerator is bigger than the denominator are called improper fractions.
For instance, 7/3, 8/5, 9/2, 11/5 are all improper fractions. |
| What are mixed fractions? |
Fractions that contain a whole number and a fraction are called mixed fraction. 1 ½, 3 ½, 5 ¼ are all mixed fractions. |
|
|
Tip 5: To convert mixed fraction into an improper fraction, follow these steps: |
|
| |
1. Multiply the denominator of the fraction to the whole number.
2. Add this result to the numerator of the fraction.
3. This new result becomes the new numerator of the improper fraction.
4. The original denominator remains the denominator of the new fraction. |
For instance: 5 ¼
Let’s follow the above steps. |
| |
1. 5 * 4 = 20
2. 20 + 1 = 21
3. Numerator = 21
4. Denominator = 4
|
|
| Resulting improper fraction: 21/4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tip 6: To convert improper fraction into a mixed, follow these steps: |
|
| |
1.Divide the numerator by denominator
2.Quotient is the whole number of the mixed fraction.
3.Remainder is the numerator of the mixed fraction
4.Denominator remains the same |
For instance:
21/4
Let’s follow these steps. |
| |
1.Let’s divide 21 by 4.
2.Since 4*5 = 20, we have 5 as the quotient.
3.1 is the remainder.
4.4 is the denominator. |
|
So, the resulting mixed fraction is:
5 ¼ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top |
|
|
|
About Author : Anu Bhave is the founder and President at - an online tutoring and homework help firm that provides very high-quality personalized, convenient, yet highly affordable supplementary education services to K-12 and college students. |
|
|
|
