They always have the same rules or steps to figure them out. You are the one who can either choose to conquer them, or to stop reading now and continue the fear towards them. KEEP READING! Obviously, I want you to keep reading, and then watch the videos. Why? Because you can do it. The way you look at fractions may be the only thing holding you back. You can follow steps in real life, you can follow steps with fractions. The last video is actually the shortest and easiest, so don't quit before that one! Actually, just don't quit.
Think of it this way:
Are you afraid of this: 5 ?
Yes, the number 5. (Don't say yes, just to be that person.)
Okay, then you do not need to be afraid of this: 1/5.
One number over another with a bar between is nothing to be afraid of.
Let's do this!
WARNING: You must know your multiplication tables through 10s (12s are better, but so are 15s, so do what you can.) If you don't know these, then please go memorize them. I can't teach memorization. I can't, and I won't.
Adding and Subtracting Fractions:
Steps:
1. Get denominators (bottoms) the same, by multiplying the top and bottom of that fraction by the same thing.
(Why step 1? Why, you ask? Because you can't add apples and oranges together and then call them all apples or all oranges. That makes no sense, but you can chop them all up and call them fruit salad bowls, or chunks. Yes, a sad fruit salad, but a fruit salad nonetheless, and that's why step 1 happens.)
2. Add or subtract the top part, and keep the bottoms the same.
3. Reduce (divide the top and bottom by the same things)
VIDEO of Adding and Subtracting Fractions
Now Adding and Subtracting with Mixed Numbers and Fractions... WHAT?!
TIME OUT
You just did the above and got it, this has 1 more step. You CAN do one more step. I just know it.
This is more real life. If you ever measure anything with a ruler, you may need this.
Steps:
1. Change mixed numbers to fractions (multiply bottom by whole number and add top, this is the new top, keep bottom number the same)
2. Get denominators (bottoms) the same, by multiplying the top and bottom of that fraction by the same thing
3. Add or subtract the top part, and keep the bottoms the same.
4. Reduce (divide the top and bottom by the same things)
Ohhh, you're saying those last three steps look the same as what you did above!? Yes. They are.
DONE.
Actually, here's the video. Watch it, then be done.
VIDEO of Adding and Subtracting with Fractions and Mixed Numbers
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions:
-When multiplying fractions, they care not about your bottoms, nor your tops. - That's just a little saying to help you remember it. You know you smiled. :)
Multiplying:
Steps
1. Multiply straight across the top and straight across the bottom
2. Reduce
BAM- Done
Dividing
Steps:
1. Flip the second Fraction. (Ex. 2/3 becomes 3/2)
2. Multiply straight across the tops and bottoms
3. Reduce
VIDEO of Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
Remember if you really want to do better you will need to practice. A simple search for these things will definitely bring up more practice problems for you. Even if you don't practice this, I hope you realize that you CAN do it. Right? Please say YES! Thanks for listening!
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