Like fraction operations

Like fractions comparison

1. Like whole numbers, fractions also can be compared with each other. Comparison results could be equal, greater or less than the other numbers.

2. Since the denominators are same just compare the numerators.

3. Fraction with the smaller numerator is the smaller fraction (or fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction).

4. If the numerators are same then the fractions are of equal value.

    Compare the fractions 3/5 and 4/5

    In the above example the numerator 3 is smaller than the numerator 4. So ³⁄₅ is smaller than ⁴⁄₅.

    From the diagram,too, it is clear that ³⁄₅ covers less area compared to the fraction ⁴⁄₅.

Ordering of like fractions

1. Fractions can be arranged in ascending or descending order.

2. In the case of ascending order, place the fractions as per the numerator value. The fraction with smallest numerator first and the fraction with largest numerator last. If the numerators are same then those fractions can be placed in any order.

3. In the case of descending order, place the fractions as per the numerator value. The fraction with largest numerator first and the fraction with smallest numerator last. If the numerators are same then those fractions can be placed in any order.

    Example: Write the following fractions in ascending order: 2/7, 1/7, 4/7, 5/7, 4/7

        Answer: 1/7, 2/7, 4/7, 4/7, 5/7

    Example: Write the following fractions in descending order: 2/7, 1/7, 4/7, 5/7, 4/7

        Answer: 5/7, 4/7, 4/7, 2/7, 1/7

Adding of like fractions

1. In the addition of like fractions, only the numerators are added.

2. The sum of the numerators is the numerator of the result. The denominator remains the same.

3. Adding two or more like fractions could result in improper fraction. The improper fractions can be converted to a mixed fraction.

    Example 1: Add the following like fractions, ¹⁄₅ and ²⁄₅

    Sum of numerator = 1 + 2 = 3

    Denominator of the fractions = 5

    Result = ¹⁄₅ + ²⁄₅ = ³⁄₅

    Example 2: Add the following like fractions: ³⁄₇, ⁶⁄₇

    ³⁄₇ + ⁶⁄₇ = ⁹⁄₇

    Result = ⁹⁄₇

    Convert improper fraction into mixed fraction: ⁹⁄₇ = 1 ²⁄₇

Subtracting like fractions

1. In the subtraction of like fractions, only the numerators are subtracted.

2. The difference between the numerators will be the numerator in the result.

3. The denominator remains the same.

    Example: What is the difference between 7/11 and 3/11

    The difference between the numerators: 7 - 3 = 4

    The denominator of the fractions = 11

    Result = ⁷⁄₁₁ - ³⁄₁₁ = ⁴⁄₁₁