Arithmetic Study Guide for the
ACCUPLACER Assessment Test
Fractions
Terms
Numerator: which tells how many parts you
have (the number on top)
Denominator: which tells how many parts in
the whole (the number on the bottom)
Example:
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is 3 parts have a dot out of 4 |
Proper fraction: the top number is less
than the bottom number.
Improper fraction: the top number is
equal to or is larger than the bottom number.
Mixed Number: a whole number is written
next to a proper fraction.
Common Denominator: is a number that
can be divided evenly by all of the denominators in the problem
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The common denominator for these fractions will be 12. It also happens to be least common denominator |
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Step 1: Find a number that goes evenly into the
numerator and the denominator of the fraction. With the fraction to the left, the number that will go in evenly is 8.
Step 2: Check to see whether another number goes evenly into
both the numerator and denominator. Stop
Step 1: Multiply the denominator by the whole number.
Step 2: Add the result to the numerator.
Step 3: Place the total over the denominator. |
Adding and Subtracting Fractions With Different Bottom Numbers
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Step 1: Need to find the common denominator for all fractions | ![]() |
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Step 2: Then go ahead and add or subtract the fractions. | ![]() |
*Remember to change improper fractions to a mixed number.
Multiplying Fractions
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Multiply the numerators across. Then multiply the denominators across. Make sure the product is in lowest terms. |
Multiplying with Mixed Numbers
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Step 1: Change every mixed fraction to an improper fraction.
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Dividing Fractions
Example: | ![]()
The fraction that is right of
the division sign will need to be turned upside down by writing the
numerator in the |
Practice:
1. Change to an improper fraction.
2. Change 42/16 to a mixed number.