| Follow the following
steps to divide fractions: |
| |
|
| 1. |
Write the numbers
horizontally: Go
to the NEXT step... |
|
| 2.
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Are there any Whole or Mixed numbers?
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YES:
Continue below...
|
|
| NO: Skip to the
NEXT STEP.
|
|
Change whole or mixed numbers to
improper fractions.
- Write a WHOLE NUMBER OVER ONE in the denominator.
(Any number divided by one is still itself.)
- To change a MIXED NUMBER to an improper fraction:
MULTIPLY THE DENOMINATOR
(bottom number = the number of pieces in each whole thing)
TIMES THE WHOLE NUMBER;
THEN ADD THE NUMERATOR
(top number = the number of extra
pieces)
Write this total OVER the original denominator
(the total number of those-size
pieces in all).
- Repeat with the other fraction.
Go to the NEXT step...
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|
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3.
|
Multiply by the Reciprocal |
- Copy the FIRST FRACTION exactly;
- Change the division sign to MULTIPLICATION;
- Invert the SECOND FRACTION.
(flip it upside-down: ORIGINAL
numerator goes on the bottom...)
Go to the NEXT step...
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| |
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| 4. |
Can you Cancel? |
YES:
Continue below...
|
|
| NO:
Skip to the
NEXT STEP.
|
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SIMPLIFY: Eliminate common factors.
- Divide ANY single numerator and ANY single
denominator by the SAME NUMBER (a common factor);
- Cross out the original and write the new numbers for each
(remember to write the amount that's LEFT and not the common
factor by which you'd divided).
- Repeat as many times as possible; by sure to use one numerator
and one denominator each time.
Go to the NEXT step...
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5.
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Do the Multiplication:
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MULTIPLY ACROSS:
- The PRODUCT of the NUMERATORS is the top number of the
answer;
- The PRODUCT of the DENOMINATORS is the bottom number of
the answer.
Go to the NEXT step...
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| 6. |
Is
the Fraction in Lowest Terms?
|
NO:
Continue below...
|
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| YES: Skip to the
NEXT STEP.
|
|
Improper fraction:
(Top number is greater than the bottom number.)
- Divide the top BY the BOTTOM;
- Write any remainder as the numerator and use the
same denominator.
Simplify the fraction:
- Divide both the numerator and the denominator by the
same number.
- Repeat until the only common factor is one.
Go to the NEXT step...
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| 7. |
Check your
answer.
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|
| |
SAMPLE PROBLEM #1:
4/5
÷ 1/6
=
Step 1:
Solution:
|
| |
SAMPLE PROBLEM #2:
5 5/6
÷ 2
1/10
=
Setup:
Step 1:
Step 2:
Solution:
 |
