SOLUTION: my daughter is learning fractions in 6th grade. The confusion starts during word problems. In some cases the fraction is inversed and then multiplied and in some its taken directly

Question 87642: my daughter is learning fractions in 6th grade. The confusion starts during word problems. In some cases the fraction is inversed and then multiplied and in some its taken directly. I too fail to explain it - as their teacher has not given the rule when to invert the fraction and when not to. Please help - her exams are near.
Answer by pkgupta_mathstutor@yahoo.co.in(2) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
For ADDITION & SUBTRACTION the FRACTIONS ARE taken as it is they are given
and the operation is performed .
Example1: Add -1/5 and 2/3
Solution:
STEP 1: -1/5 + 2/3
STEP 2: Take LCM of 5 & 3 which is 15 , now multiply Numerator &Denominator of 1st Fraction by 3 & 2nd Fraction by 5 to make Denominators of both Fractions
equal.
STEP 3:we get -3/15 +10/15 as Denominators of both Fractions are equal we add Numerators.
STEP 4:as signs of -3 & 10 are different we subtract 3 from 10 thus we get
7/15 as ANSWER
HENCE -1/5 + 2/3 = 7/15
NOTE: (If signs of two integers are same we ADD them if there signs are different we SUBTRACT smaller from bigger one )
FOR MULTIPLICATION & DIVISION
Example2: Mutiply -3/4 and 5/7
Solution:
STEP 1: -3/4 X 5/7
WE multiply both Numerators & Denominators of the fractions but before that we reduce them to their lowest terms.
STEP 2:(-3 X 5) /(4 X 7) = -15 / 28
HENCE -3/4 X 5/7 = -15 / 28 ANSWER
Example3: Divide 4/9 by 10/27
Solution:
STEP 1: (4/9)/(10/27)
STEP 2:(4/9 X 27/10 ) WE RECIPROCATE THE 2nd fraction to convert Division into Multiplication
STEP 3: ON REDUCING WE GET 6/5 AS ANSWER
HOPE YOU GOT YOUR SOLUTION pkgupta_mathstutor@yahoo.co.in

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