Welcome
Arithmetic is the language of algebra.
Master the fundamentals, and algebra becomes logical, understandable,
and manageable. This course begins where algebra success truly begins:
with fractions.
Start Here
Build each skill in a clear, logical sequence.
Add Fractions
Find a common denominator, then add the numerators.
Subtract Fractions
Use a common denominator and subtract carefully.
Multiply Fractions
Multiply straight across and simplify the result.
Divide Fractions
Multiply by the reciprocal: keep, change, flip.
The Four Fraction Operations
First do the operation with numbers. Then write the same rule with letters. That is the bridge from arithmetic to algebra.
➕ Add Fractions
Find a common denominator, add the numerators, and keep the common denominator.
2/3 + 3/4
= (4 × 2)/(3 × 4) + (3 × 3)/(3 × 4)
= (8 + 9)/12
= 17/12
a/b + c/d = (ad + bc)/bd
➖ Subtract Fractions
Find a common denominator, subtract the numerators, and keep the common denominator.
2/3 − 3/4
= (4 × 2)/(3 × 4) − (3 × 3)/(3 × 4)
= (8 − 9)/12
= −1/12
a/b − c/d = (ad − bc)/bd
✖ Multiply Fractions
Multiply the numerators, multiply the denominators, and simplify.
2/3 × 3/4
= (2 × 3)/(3 × 4)
= 6/12
= 1/2
a/b × c/d = ac/bd
➗ Divide Fractions
Keep the first fraction, change division to multiplication, and multiply by the reciprocal.
2/3 ÷ 3/4
= 2/3 × 4/3
= (2 × 4)/(3 × 3)
= 8/9
a/b ÷ c/d = a/b × d/c = ad/bc
Master the four fraction operations, and the path to algebra becomes clear.
Algebra simply expresses the same arithmetic rules in general form.
Master the four fraction operations with numbers, and the path to
algebra becomes clear.