Math Word Problems Demystified - A Self Teaching Guide

(Marvins-Underground-K-12) #1

II


REFRESHER


Fractions


In a fraction, the top number is called thenumeratorand the bottom number
is called thedenominator.
To reduce a fraction to lowest terms, divide the numerator and denom-
inator by the largest number that divides evenly into both.

EXAMPLE:Reduce

24

32

.

SOLUTION:

24

32

¼

24  8

32  8

¼

3

4

To change a fraction to higher terms, divide the smaller denominator into
the larger denominator, and then multiply the smaller numerator by that
number.

EXAMPLE:Change

5

6

to 24ths.

SOLUTION:

Divide 24 6 ¼4 and multiply 5 4 ¼20. Hence,

5

6

¼

20

24

.

18


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