Return to the Purplemath home page

 


powered by FreeFind

 

Print-friendly page

 

 

Fractions Review (page 5 of 5)

Sections: Reducing fractions, Mixed numbers and improper fractions, Multiplying and dividing fractions, Adding and subtracting fractions, Adding polynomial fractions

The procedure for adding numerical fractions works perfectly well on rational expressions, too:

  • Simplify (x + 2)/(x - 4) - (x + 1)/(x + 4)

    First, find the LCM:

      finding the LCM: (x - 4)(x + 4)

    Then convert and simplify:

      simplification: 3(3x + 4)/[(x - 4)(x + 4)]

As you can see from the above example, even if your calculator can do numerical fractions for you, you will still need to know the common-denominator algorithm ("algorithm" means "an always-the-same process"), because, when you get to rational expressions (polynomial fractions), your calculator won't likely be able to help you.

  • Simplify x/(x^2 + 5x +6) - 2/(x^2 + 3x + 2)

      • finding the LCM: (x + 1)(x + 2)(x + 3)
          Copyright © Elizabeth Stapel 2006-2008 All Rights Reserved

      simplification: (x - 3)/[(x + 1)(x + 3)]
       

<< Previous  Top  |  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5  |  Return to Index

Cite this article as:

Stapel, Elizabeth. "Fractions Review." Purplemath. Available from
    http://www.purplemath.com/modules/fraction5.htm. Accessed
 

 

Lessons index

Lessons CD

Purplemath:
  Linking to this site
  Printing pages
  Donating
  School licensing

Reviews of
Internet Sites:
   Free Help
   Practice
   Et Cetera

The "Homework
   Guidelines"

Study Skills Survey

Tutoring ($$)

This lesson may be printed out for your personal use.

Content copyright protected by Copyscape website plagiarism search
  

  Copyright © 2006-2008  Elizabeth Stapel   |   About   |   Terms of Use

 

 Feedback   |   Error?