The Fraction Cheat Sheet MacLean Math 8

1. Converting an improper fraction into a mixed number. Remember!

- Divide the numerator by the denominator. The remainder becomes the new numerator.
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟
17 2
Ex. = 3 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟
5 5

2. Converting a mixed number into an improper fraction.

- Use the checkmark method, multiply the denominator by the whole number and add the numerator.

5 17
Ex. 2 6 = 6

3. Adding fractions.
- Find a common denominator for the two fractions. Make equivalent fractions and add the numerators.
Change the answer to the lowest mixed number if the question requires.

4 2 12 10 22 7
Ex. + = + = =1
5 3 15 15 15 15

4. Subtracting Fractions.
- Find a common denominator for the two fractions. Make equivalent fractions and subtract the
numerators. Change the answer to the lowest mixed number if the question requires.
- If using mixed numbers, borrow from the whole number if you cannot subtract the numerators.

1 3 4 9 16 9 7
Ex. 2 − 1 = 2 −1 =1 −1 =
3 4 12 12 12 12 12

5. Multiplying Fractions.
- Reduce the numbers diagonally and then multiply the numerators and denominators separately.

2 3 2 3 2×1 2
Ex. 3
× 5 = 3 × 5 = 1×5 = 5

- When multiplying mixed numbers, change to improper fractions first.

1 1 4 11 4×11 44 14
Ex. 1 × 2 = × = = =2
3 5 3 5 3×5 15 15

6. Dividing Fractions.
- Change the division statement by multiplying by the reciprocal. Reduce the numbers diagonally and
then multiply the numerators and denominators separately.

5 7 5 8 5 8 5×4 20 Reciprocal – a fraction

Ex. 6
÷ 8 = 6 × 7 = 6 × 7 = 3×7 = 21
flipped upside down!
- When dividing mixed numbers, change to improper fractions first. 2 3
Ex. 3 Reciprocal is 2
1 2 7 7 7 5 7 5 1×5 5 1
Ex. 3 2 ÷ 1 5 = 2 ÷ 5 = 2 × 7 = 2 × 7 = 2×1 = 2 = 2 2