FRACTIONS
Review of Introductory Mathematics
When fractions do not have a common denominator, this method must be modified. For example,
consider the problem:
1
2
1
3
?
This presents a problem, the same problem one would have if he were asked to add 6 feet to 3
yards. In this case the entities (units) aren’t equal, so the 6 feet are first converted to 2 yards and
then they are added to 3 yards to give a total of 5 yards.
6 feet + 3 yards = 2 yards + 3 yards = 5 yards
Going back to the fraction addition example, then
and
must both be expressed in the same
1
2
1
3
segments to be added. Without developing the general method,
is
. Multiply
by
1
2
3
6
ths
1
2
3
3
or (one) to give the equivalent fraction. Similarly,
equals
.
1
3
2
6
MA-01
Page 28
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