FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS for 1 ESO

1. Fractions
When an object is divided into a number of equal parts then each part
is called a fraction.
There are different ways of writing a fraction.
For example, two fifths of an object can be written as:

a common fraction

a decimal number 0.4

a percentage 40%

2
(top number)

numerator says how many parts are taken from the object

5
denominator says how many equal parts in the whole object
(bottom number)
Always remember: denominator can NEVER be 0.
Why? Because you cannot divide by 0.

2. Proper and improper fractions

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a) Proper fractions: When numerator < denominator:

Examples and exercises:
A half

Three fourths

Two thirds

Minus three fifths

A twelfth

Five twenty thirds

Two sixths

Three eighths

Four seventieths

Thirteen
seconds

Eleven twentieths

forty

Sixty-nine
hundredths
Fifteen sixty-firsts

b) Improper fractions: Numerator > denominator:

Examples and exercises:
Ninety over fifty-six

Eight over four

Improper fractions can be changed to mixed numbers by dividing.

Example:
Fill in the table:
Improper fraction

Mixed number

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3 =

3. Equivalent fractions

Two fractions are said to be equivalent if they both express the same
amount.

Example:

To create a pair of equivalent fractions, you multiply (or divide) the top
(numerator) and bottom (denominator) of a given fraction by the same
number.

When you divide both numerator and denominator by the same number,
you obtain a simpler fraction. Then, you are simplifying or cancelling
down the fraction:

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Example:

Two fractions are equivalent if the cross-products are the same.

Exampe:

, then 8 7 = 14 4 = 56

To compare two fractions, it is necessary they both to have the same

denominator. Look at the following exercise:
Order the following fractions, the smaller first:
We have to find three equivalent fractions having the same denominator.
This common denominator would be the least common multiple of 5, 3
and 12.
LCM(5, 3, 12) = 60
Then, the equivalent fractions are:

Finally, is possible to affirm that:

Exercises
1. Cancel down the following fractions into their simplest terms:
a)
b)
c)
2. Check whether the following pair of fractions are equivalent:

a.

b.

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3. Arrange these fractions in order of size, smallest first:

4. Operations involving fractions

a. Adding and subtracting fractions
When adding (or subtracting) fractions with different denominators,
they must be rewritten to have the same denominator before starting
the addition.
Example:
a)

b)

Since they have unlike denominators, we have to find two equivalent fractions
having a common denominator: The least common multiple of 12 and 18:
LCM (12, 18) = 36

b. Multiplying and dividing fractions

To multiply: You must simply multiply the two top numbers, and
multiply the two bottom ones.
Example:

To divide one fraction by another, turn the second fraction upside

down and then multiply them. (You cross-multiply)
Example:

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Dont forget: To multiply or divide by a whole number, just treat

it like a fraction with a denominator of 1.

5. Combined operations:
Remind the order:
1. Brackets
2. Multiplications and divisions
3. Additions and subtractions

Exercises:
1. Work out and reduce the solution:

a.
b.
c.
d.

2. Calculate and reduce:

a.
b.
c.
d.
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3. Find the solution and reduce:

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.
f.

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