Algebra Demystified 2nd Ed

24 alGebra De mystif ieD

from the fraction’s numerator. This difference will be the new numerator.

The rule is:

a

b

W aWb

b

−=−

EXAMPLE

8

3

2 823

3

86

3

2

3

−=−⋅()= − =

PRACTICE

Find the difference.

1.^12
5

−= 1

2.^14
3

−= 2

3.

19

4

−= 2

4.^18
7

−= 1

SOLUTIONS

1.^12
5

1 12 15

5

7

5

−= −⋅()=

2.^14
3

2 14 23

3

14 6

3

8

3

−= −⋅()= − =

3.

19

4

2 19 24

4

19 8

4

11

4

−= −⋅()= − =

4.^18
7

1 18 17

7

11

7

−= −⋅()=

Compound Fractions

Remember what a fraction is—the division of the numerator by the denominator.

For example,^153 another way of saying “15 ÷ 3.” A compound fraction, a fraction

where the numerator or denominator or both are fractions, is merely a fraction

division problem. For this reason, this section is almost the same as the section on

PRACTICE

Find the difference.

EXAMPLE

✔SOLUTIONS