FRACTIONS
Review of Introductory Mathematics
Step 2:
Multiplication of division fractions equals 1.
=
3
8
7
6
1
Step 3:
Multiplication of numerators and denominators yields:
3
8
7
6
21
48
The second method for dividing fractions is really a short cut to the first method. When dividing
one fraction by another, first invert the divisor fraction and then multiply.
Example:
4
5
2
9
Solution:
Step 1:
Invert the divisor fraction
to
.
2
9
9
2
Step 2:
Multiply the dividend fraction,
, by the inverted fraction
.
4
5
9
2
4
5
9
2
36
10
Step 3:
Reduce fraction to lowest terms.
36
2
10
2
18
5
33
5
Division of mixed numbers may be accomplished by changing the mixed number into an
improper fraction (a/b), inverting the divisor, and proceeding as in multiplication.
MA-01
Page 36
Rev. 0
