CTS College Private Secondary School
CSEC Mathematics
Topic: Fractions
Fractions - Objectives
•Know the different types of fractions
•Understand the values of fractions
•Convert fractions
•Simplify fractions
•Perform operations involving fractions (add, subtract,
multiply, divide)
Types of Fractions
There are three different types of fractions:
1)Proper Fraction
This is where the numerator is smaller than the
denominator.
Examples: , ,
2) Improper fractions
-This is where the numerator is bigger than the
denominator.
-Examples: , ,
3) Mixed number/fraction
This type of fraction consists of a whole number
and a proper fraction
Examples: , ,
Values of Fractions
The value of a fraction is found by dividing the numerator by
the denominator.
When the numerator stays the same and the denominator
increases, the value of the fraction decreases.
Examples: , ,
,,,
When the denominator stays the same and the numerator
increases, the value of the fraction increases.
Examples: , ,
,,
Equivalent fractions
These are fractions that may look different but are
equal to each other.
Example:
Converting to Equivalent
fractions
Equivalent fractions can be generated by multiplying or dividing both
the numerator and denominator by the same number.
Converting from a mixed
number to an improper fraction
Example: =
Firstly, multiply the whole number by the denominator.
Then add that to the numerator which then becomes the new value
of the numerator.
The denominator remains the same.
Exercise:
Convert the following mixed numbers to improper fractions:
Exercise: (Answers)
Convert the following mixed numbers to improper fractions:
Converting from improper
fraction to mixed number
Example: =
Firstly, divide the numerator by the denominator (How many groups
of 4 are there in 21?)
That value will be the whole number.
The remainder will be the numerator of the proper fraction and the
denominator remains the same.
Exercise:
Convert the following improper fractions to mixed numbers:
Exercise: (Answers)
Convert the following improper fractions to mixed numbers:
Simplifying fractions
Fractions can be simplified when the numerator and denominator have a
common factor in them.
Example: (Divide both numerator and denominator by 2)
Exercise:
Simplify the following fractions:
Exercise: (Answers)
Simplify the following fractions:
Addition of Fractions
Example:
Ensure the denominators (bottom numbers) are the same.
Add the numerators and put the answer over the same
denominator.
Simplify the fraction where possible.
Example:
The bottom numbers are different so we need to make them the same before
we can add them.
We can multiply 3 x 2 in the first fraction since the other denominator is 6.
NB –We must multiply top and bottom by the same amount in order to keep the
value of the fraction the same.
Add the top numbers and put them over the same denominator.
Simplify the fraction:
Example:
Convert both fractions to improper fractions.
Bring both fractions to the same common denominator.
Add both fractions
Convert back to a mixed number
Exercise:
Exercise: (Answers)
Subtraction of fractions
Example:
Ensure that the bottom numbers are the same.
Subtract the top numbers and put the answer over the same
denominator.
Simplify the fraction
Example:
The denominators are different so we need to make them the same before we can subtract
them. We can multiply 2 x 3 since the other denominator is 6.
NB- We must multiply top and bottom by the same amount in order to keep the value of the
fraction the same.
Subtract the top numbers and put the answer over the same denominator.
Simplify the fraction
Example:
Convert to improper fractions
Bring both fractions to have the same common denominator.
Subtract both fractions
Convert back into a mixed fraction
Exercise:
Exercise: (Answers)
Multiplication of fractions
Example:
Multiply the numerators together and denominators together
Example:
Multiply the numerators together and denominators together
Now, simplify the fraction
Alternatively, if there is a common factor in the numerator of one
fraction and the denominator of another fraction, the common factor
can be cancelled (cross cancellation).
𝟑
𝟏
Example:
Convert to improper fractions
Multiply the numerators together and denominators together
Convert back into a mixed fraction
Exercise:
Exercise: (Answers)
Division of fractions
Example:
Keeping the first fraction, change the division to multiplication and
flip the second fraction
Multiply the fractions
Example:
Keeping the first fraction, change the division to multiplication and
flip the second fraction
Multiply the fractions
Example:
Convert to improper fractions
Keeping the first fraction, change the division to multiplication
and flip the second fraction
Multiply the fractions
Exercise:
Exercise: (Answers)
Past Paper Questions
June 2017 January 2018
Solution: Solution:
Past Paper Questions
January 2017 June 2019
Solution: Solution:
Recap
•A fraction represents a part of a whole. It consists of two parts: the
numerator (top number) and the denominator (bottom number),
written as numerator/denominator.
•Types of Fractions:
Proper Fractions: The numerator is smaller than the denominator.
Improper Fractions: The numerator is equal to or larger than the
denominator.
Mixed Numbers: A whole number combined with a proper fraction.
Recap
•The value of a fraction is found by dividing the numerator by the
denominator.
•Equivalent fractions; the value of a fraction is found by dividing the
numerator by the denominator.
•Simplifying (or reducing) fractions means rewriting a fraction with
the smallest possible numerator and denominator while
maintaining the same value.
Recap
•Operations on Fractions:
Addition/Subtraction: To add or subtract fractions, make the denominators
the same, then add or subtract the numerators.
Multiplication: Multiply the numerators together and the denominators
together.
Division: Invert (flip) the second fraction and multiply.
