Edexcel IGCSE Maths A: Your notes

Higher
Fractions
Contents
Basic Fractions
Mixed Numbers & Improper Fractions
Adding & Subtracting Fractions
Multiplying & Dividing Fractions

© 2025 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at savemyexams.com 1
 Basic Fractions
Your notes

Basic fractions
What is a fraction?
A fraction is part of a whole

a
A fraction is written as where a and b are integers
b
The number on the top, a, is called the numerator
The number on the bottom, b, is called the denominator
The values of the numerator and denominator tell us about the size of the fraction
The denominator is how many parts the whole is split into
The numerator is how many parts you have

2
For example, means that the whole is divided into 3 parts and you have 2 of
3
these parts

How do I find a fraction of an amount?

Method 1
Divide by the denominator and multiply by the numerator

2
To find of 60, divide it by 5 then multiply it by 2
5
60 ÷ 5 = 12, then 12 × 2 = 24
Method 2
Change the fraction into a decimal, then multiply

9 9
To find of 15, turn into 0 . 9 then multiply
10 10
0 . 9 × 15 = 13. 5
Method 3
Write both numbers as fractions and multiply the two fractions together

5 8
To find of 8 , turn 8 into
6 1
5 8 40 20
Work out
6
×1= 6
= 3

© 2025 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at savemyexams.com 2
What are equivalent fractions?
Equivalent fractions are two fractions that represent the same amount Your notes
They are different ways of writing the same thing

1 6
For example, and are equivalent fractions
2 12

How do I find an equivalent fraction?

To find an equivalent fraction, multiply the top and bottom of a fraction by the same
number

5 5×2 10 5 × 3 15 5 × 4 20
6
is equivalent to
6×2
= 12 and 6 × 3 = 18 and 6 × 4 = 24 etc.
For each fraction, there are an infinite number of equivalent fractions

What is a simplified fraction?

A simplified fraction is a fraction that is written using the smallest possible
integer values
Simplifying turns a fraction into an 'easier' equivalent fraction
If both the numerator and denominator can be divided by the same number (called a
common factor), the fraction can be simplified
Simplifying is also called cancelling a fraction

How do I simplify fractions?

To simplify the fraction, divide the top and bottom by the common factor

12 12 ÷ 6 2
=
18 18 ÷ 6
=3
25 25 ÷ 5 5
=
45 45 ÷ 5
=9

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Make use of your calculator in your exam
Type any fraction into it and pressing equals will automatically simplify the
fraction for you
If the question asks you to show your working, you must show which number
you divided by

© 2025 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at savemyexams.com 3
 Mixed Numbers & Improper Fractions
Your notes

Mixed numbers & improper

What are mixed numbers & improper fractions?
A mixed number has an integer part and a fraction part

3 3
3 has the whole number 3 and the fraction , meaning “three and three
4 4
quarters”
An improper fraction is also known as a top-heavy fraction
An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is bigger than the denominator

15
means “fifteen quarters”
4
Any fraction that is greater than 1 can be written as either a mixed number or an
equivalent improper fraction

How do I convert a mixed number into an improper

fraction?
Multiply the integer part by the denominator of the fraction part

6
For example, convert 4 into a top heavy fraction
7
4 × 7 = 28
Add the result to the numerator of the fraction part

28 + 6 = 34
Write the 'new' numerator over the same denominator and ignore the integer part

6 34
4
7
= 7

How do I convert an improper fraction into a mixed

number?
Divide the numerator by the bottom

22
For example, convert into a mixed number
3
22 ÷ 3 = 7 remainder 1

© 2025 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at savemyexams.com 4
The integer part of the mixed number is the whole number
The fraction part is the remainder over the denominator Your notes
22 1
3
= 7
3

Examiner Tips and Tricks

The term 'improper fraction' is frequently used in exam papers
Make sure you remember that improper fractions are the same as top heavy
fractions

Worked Example
3
(a) Write 5 as an improper fraction.
4
Multiply the whole number by the denominator, and add to the numerator
Keep the denominator the same

( 5×4 ) +3
4
Simplify

23
4
17
(b) Write as a mixed number.
5
Divide the top by the bottom
17 ÷ 5 = 3 remainder 2
The final answer is 3, with 2 parts still left over
Leave the 3 as the whole number part and put the 2 over the original denominator of 5

3 25

© 2025 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at savemyexams.com 5
 Adding & Subtracting Fractions
Your notes

Adding & subtracting fractions

How do I add or subtract two fractions?
Addition and subtraction are treated in exactly the same way when dealing with
fractions
Find the lowest common denominator
Write each fraction as an equivalent fraction over this denominator
Add (or subtract) the numerators and write this over a single denominator
Do not add the denominators
Simplify the fraction by cancelling common factors

What do I do if any of the fractions are mixed

numbers?
Convert any mixed numbers into improper fractions
Add or subtract the fractions as usual
Remember to convert the answer back to a mixed number if required

Worked Example
2 1
(a) Find
3
+5.
Find the lowest common denominator of 3 and 5
15 is the smallest number that can be divided by both 3 and 5
The lowest common denominator is 15
Write both fractions as equivalent fractions with a common denominator of 15
Multiply the numerator and denominator of the first fraction by 5
Multiply the numerator and denominator of the second fraction by 3

2×5 1 × 3 10 3
3×5
+ 5 × 3 = 15 + 15
Add the numerators and write over a single denominator

10 + 3 13
15
= 15

© 2025 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at savemyexams.com 6
There are no common factors that will cancel

13 Your notes
15
3 5
(b) Find 3
4
− 8 giving your answer as a mixed number.
Change the mixed number into an improper fraction
Multiply the denominator by the whole part and add to the numerator
Write this value over the denominator

4×3+3 15
4
= 4
Find the lowest common denominator of 4 and 8
8 is the smallest number that by divided by both 4 and 8
The lowest common denominator is 8
Write both fractions as equivalent fractions over 8
Multiply the numerator and denominator of the first fraction by 2

15 × 2 5 30 5
4×2
−8= 8
−8
Subtract the numerators and write over a single denominator

30 − 5 25
8
= 8
Change into a mixed number
Divide 25 by 8 to get 3 remainder 1

3 18

© 2025 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at savemyexams.com 7
 Multiplying & Dividing Fractions
Your notes

Multiplying fractions
How do I multiply two fractions?
Cancel any factors that are common to both the numerator and the denominator
The common factors could be in either of the fractions

3 10 3 102 3 2
× =
25 11 255
× 11
= 5 × 11
Multiply
Multiply the numerators
Multiply the denominators

3 2 3×2 6
5
× 11 = 5 × 11 = 55
Cancel any common factors again if possible

How do I multiply two fractions if one is a mixed

number?
Always convert mixed numbers into improper fractions before multiplying
Convert improper fractions back into mixed numbers at the end if required

Worked Example
4 25
Find ×
15 11
.

The 15 and 25 can be cancelled before multiplying

4 5×5 4 5×5 4 5
3×5
× 11
= 3×5 × 11
= 3 × 11
Multiply the numerators together and the denominators together

4×5 20
3 × 11
= 33
There is no further cancelling that can be done
Write down the fraction

© 2025 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at savemyexams.com 8
 20
33 Your notes

Dividing fractions
How do I divide two fractions?
Flip the second fraction and change ÷ into × ”

1 4 1 5
3
÷5 becomes
3
×4
The 'flipped' fraction is called a reciprocal fraction
Cancel any factors that are common to both the numerator and the denominator
Multiply the fractions
Multiply the numerators
Multiply the denominators
Cancel any common factors again if possible

How do I divide two fractions when one of them is a

mixed number?
Always convert mixed numbers into improper fractions before dividing
Convert improper fractions back into mixed numbers at the end if required

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Remember “flip’n’times"
When dividing fractions you are multiplying by the reciprocal

Worked Example
1 3
Divide 3 by , giving your answer as a mixed number.
4 8
1
Rewrite 3 as an improper fraction
4

© 2025 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at savemyexams.com 9
 1 3×4+1 13
3
4
= 4
= 4 Your notes
Turn the division into a multiplication
'Flip' the second fraction and turn ÷ into ×

13 3 13 8
4
÷8= 4
×3
Cancel a factor of 4 from the numerators and denominators

13 8 13 4 × 2 13 2
4
×3 = 4
× 3 = 1
×3
Multiply the fractions

13 × 2 26
1×3
= 3
Rewrite as a mixed number

26 24 2 2
3
= 3 +3 =8 3

8 23

© 2025 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at savemyexams.com 10