4.
8
9
5.
2
3
Operations with Positive and Negative
Fractions
Every fraction has three signs: the sign of the number in the numerator, the
sign of the number in the denominator, and the sign in front of the fraction
(called the sign of the fraction). For example,
3
4¼þþ 3
þ 4
When a fraction is negative, such as^34 , the negative sign can be placed in
the numerator or denominator. For example,
3
4
¼
3
4
¼
3
4
When performing operations with fractions that are negative, keep the negative
sign with the numerator of the fraction and perform the operations.
EXAMPLE
Add^23 þ^34.
SOLUTION
2
3
þ3
4
¼
2
3
þ3
4
¼
8
12
þ9
12
¼
8 þ 9
12¼1
12
EXAMPLE
Subtract^1112 ^38 :
CHAPTER 4 Fractions: Part 2 75