General Math On-line

 Chapter 1 Fractions Overview

 What will I be able to do when I finish this chapter?

Write appropriate fractions from given information.

Identify proper fractions, improper fractions, and mixed numbers.

Convert between improper fractions and mixed numbers.

Select the appropriate operation ( + - x ¸ ) to solve a problem.

Multiply and divide fractions.

Add and subtract fractions.

Solve application problems.

 

Chapter 1 Tips and Hints:

Fractions help you describe amounts that are less than one whole. For example, 2 hours and 30 minutes is more than 2 hours but less than 3 hours. You could express this amount as a fraction by saying 2 1/2 hours.

 

2/3 is a Proper Fraction. 3/2 is an Improper Fraction. 1 1/2 is a Mixed Number.

 

Proper Fractions always have a value less than 1. Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers always have a value equal to or greater than 1.

 

Make sure you check out the summary pages at the end of the Multiplying & Dividing and the Adding & subtracting sections. These pages condense the rules to help you study.

 

Simplify the problem to help you decide what needs to be done. A problem that contains fractions may look more complex than it really is.

If you were preparing a meal for 35 people and each person was to receive 2/3 of a pound of steak, how many pounds of steak would you have to buy?

If this problem looks too complex, simplify it by replacing the fraction with a whole number. If every person were to receive 2 pounds of steak, you would have to buy 70 pounds of steak. You multiplied to get the answer. If multiplication works with whole numbers then it will work with fractions as well. You will have to multiply 35 by 2/3 to get the answer.

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