Adding, Subtracting, and Multiplying Fractions

Vocabulary flashcards defining key concepts, terminology, and algorithms for adding, subtracting, and multiplying fractions.

Like Denominators (Addition and Subtraction)

When fractions have the same denominator, add or subtract the numerators and write the result over the same denominator.

Unlike Denominators (Addition and Subtraction)

When fractions have different denominators, find the Least Common Multiple (LCM) to convert them to equivalent fractions with a common denominator before adding or subtracting the numerators.

Least Common Multiple (LCM)

The smallest multiple shared by two or more denominators, used to determine the common denominator when adding or subtracting fractions.

Equivalent Fractions

Fractions that represent the same value, created by multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by the same non-zero factor.

How Much More?

A key phrase in word problems indicating that subtraction must be performed to find the difference between two fraction quantities.

Writing Whole Numbers as Fractions

The process of converting a whole number into fraction form by placing the whole number over a denominator of $1$ (for example, $2 = \frac{2}{1}$).

Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions

The process of multiplying the whole number by the denominator, adding the numerator to get the new numerator, and placing it over the original denominator (for example, $5\frac{2}{3} = \frac{17}{3}$).

Multiplying Fractions Algorithm

A four-step process: 1. Turn any mixed numbers into improper fractions. 2. Multiply the numerators together. 3. Multiply the denominators together. 4. Simplify by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their Greatest Common Factor (GCF).

Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

The largest factor shared by both the numerator and the denominator, used to divide both numbers to simplify a fraction to its lowest form.