Arithmetic of Fractions: Complete Course

Chapter 1: Whole Numbers, Place Value, Absolute Value, and Distance

What is a Whole Number?

A whole number is any of the numbers \(0, 1, 2, 3, 4, \ldots\).

What is Place Value?

Place value is the value of where a digit is in a number. For example, in 4,582:

What is Absolute Value?

The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, regardless of direction.
Example: The absolute value of \(-7\) is 7. The absolute value of 5 is 5.
Mathematical notation: \( |-7| = 7,\quad |5| = 5 \)

What is Distance (on the Number Line)?

Distance between two numbers is the absolute value of their difference.
Example: The distance between 3 and \(-4\) is \(|3 - (-4)| = |3 + 4| = 7\).

Chapter 2: Arithmetic of Fractions (Explanations)

  1. Changing Improper Fractions to Mixed Numbers:
    Divide the numerator by the denominator. The quotient is the whole number, and the remainder over the denominator is the fraction part.
    Example: \( \frac{11}{3} = 3 \frac{2}{3} \)
  2. Changing Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions:
    Multiply the whole number by the denominator, add the numerator, and put the result over the denominator.
    Example: \( 2 \frac{5}{6} = \frac{2 \times 6 + 5}{6} = \frac{17}{6} \)
  3. Adding Fractions with Like Denominators:
    Add the numerators, keep the same denominator.
    Example: \( \frac{3}{8} + \frac{2}{8} = \frac{5}{8} \)
  4. Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators:
    Subtract the numerators, keep the same denominator.
    Example: \( \frac{7}{10} - \frac{3}{10} = \frac{4}{10} = \frac{2}{5} \)
  5. Adding or Subtracting Fractions with Unlike Denominators:
    Find a common denominator, rewrite each fraction, then add or subtract.
    Example: \( \frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{6} = \frac{3}{12} + \frac{2}{12} = \frac{5}{12} \)
  6. Adding Mixed Numbers with Unlike Denominators:
    Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions or add whole numbers and fractions separately (after finding a common denominator).
    Example: \( 1\frac{1}{2} + 2\frac{2}{3} = \frac{3}{2} + \frac{8}{3} = \frac{9}{6} + \frac{16}{6} = \frac{25}{6} = 4 \frac{1}{6} \)
  7. Subtracting Mixed Numbers with Unlike Denominators:
    Find a common denominator, borrow if necessary, then subtract.
    Example: \( 3\frac{1}{4} - 1\frac{1}{2} = \frac{13}{4} - \frac{3}{2} = \frac{13}{4} - \frac{6}{4} = \frac{7}{4} = 1\frac{3}{4} \)
  8. Estimating Sums and Differences of Fractions and Mixed Numbers:
    Round each fraction or mixed number to the nearest whole number or benchmark fraction, then add or subtract.
    Example: \( 2\frac{5}{6} \approx 3 \), \( 1\frac{1}{4} \approx 1 \), so \( 2\frac{5}{6} + 1\frac{1}{4} \approx 4 \)
  9. Multiplying Fractions and Whole Numbers:
    Multiply the whole number by the numerator, keep the denominator.
    Example: \( 4 \times \frac{3}{5} = \frac{12}{5} = 2\frac{2}{5} \)
  10. Multiplying Fractions: Reciprocals:
    The reciprocal of \( \frac{a}{b} \) is \( \frac{b}{a} \). Multiplying a number by its reciprocal gives 1.
    Example: \( \frac{2}{3} \times \frac{3}{2} = 1 \)
  11. Multiplying Fractions and Mixed Numbers: Reducing:
    Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions, multiply, and reduce (simplify) the result.
    Example: \( 1\frac{1}{2} \times \frac{4}{9} = \frac{3}{2} \times \frac{4}{9} = \frac{12}{18} = \frac{2}{3} \)
  12. Dividing Fractions by Whole Numbers:
    Multiply by the reciprocal of the whole number.
    Example: \( \frac{3}{5} \div 2 = \frac{3}{5} \times \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{10} \)
  13. Dividing Whole Numbers by Fractions:
    Multiply the whole number by the reciprocal of the fraction.
    Example: \( 4 \div \frac{2}{3} = 4 \times \frac{3}{2} = \frac{12}{2} = 6 \)
  14. Dividing Fractions by Fractions:
    Multiply by the reciprocal of the divisor.
    Example: \( \frac{2}{3} \div \frac{4}{5} = \frac{2}{3} \times \frac{5}{4} = \frac{10}{12} = \frac{5}{6} \)
  15. Dividing Mixed Numbers:
    Convert to improper fractions, then multiply by the reciprocal.
    Example: \( 2\frac{1}{2} \div 1\frac{1}{4} = \frac{5}{2} \div \frac{5}{4} = \frac{5}{2} \times \frac{4}{5} = 2 \)
  16. Ratios:
    A ratio compares two quantities, often written as \( a:b \), \( a \) to \( b \), or \( \frac{a}{b} \).
    Example: The ratio of 8 to 12 is \( 8:12 \) or \( 2:3 \).
  17. Proportions and Cross-Multiplying:
    A proportion is an equation that states two ratios are equal. Cross-multiplying helps solve for unknowns.
    Example: If \( \frac{a}{b} = \frac{c}{d} \), then \( a \times d = b \times c \)
  18. Ratio Tables:
    A table of equivalent ratios.
    Example:
    246
    61218
  19. Rates:
    A rate is a ratio comparing two different units.
    Example: 60 miles in 2 hours is a rate of 30 miles/hour.
  20. Problem-Solving with Proportions:
    Use proportions to solve real-world problems, such as finding missing values in similar figures or recipes.

Chapter 3: Examples

Example 1: Change \( \frac{17}{5} \) to a mixed number.
\( 17 \div 5 = 3 \) remainder \( 2 \), so \( 3\frac{2}{5} \)
Example 2: Add \( \frac{2}{3} + \frac{1}{6} \).
LCD is 6: \( \frac{2}{3} = \frac{4}{6} \), so \( \frac{4}{6} + \frac{1}{6} = \frac{5}{6} \)
Example 3: Multiply \( 3\frac{1}{4} \) by \( \frac{2}{5} \).
\( 3\frac{1}{4} = \frac{13}{4} \), so \( \frac{13}{4} \times \frac{2}{5} = \frac{26}{20} = \frac{13}{10} = 1\frac{3}{10} \)
Example 4: Divide \( \frac{5}{6} \div \frac{1}{4} \).
Multiply by reciprocal: \( \frac{5}{6} \times \frac{4}{1} = \frac{20}{6} = \frac{10}{3} = 3\frac{1}{3} \)
Example 5: What is the rate if you run 15 miles in 3 hours?
\( 15 \div 3 = 5 \), so the rate is 5 miles per hour.
Example 6: Estimate: \( 4\frac{3}{4} + 2\frac{2}{5} \approx 5 + 2 = 7 \)

Chapter 4: Pre-Test (Auto-Graded, 40 Questions)

Chapter 5: Step-by-Step Corrections (Pre-Test)

Chapter 6: Post-Test (Auto-Graded, 40 Questions)