Fractions! Help please for DS doing 11+

[SecondhandRose]

Thanks to everyone that helped with algebra last night. Tonight he's doing fractions

1 1/2 x 2 2/3 =

8 2/3 + 3 3/10 =

Please can someone tell me the answers but also more importantly how you worked them out. Thanks so much.

1 1/2 = 3/2

2 2/3 = 8/3

3/2 x 8/3 = (38)/(23) = 24/6 = 4

8 2/3 + 3 3/10

do the whole numbers first:

8 + 3 = 11.

2/3 + 3/10 ... convert them both so they have the same denominator. 3x10 = 30 is a good denominator for this.

2/3 = 20/30
3/10 = 9/30

20/30 + 9/30 = (20 + 9)/30 = 29/30

So answer is 11 + 29/30.

Hope this helps.

Firstly make them equal, ie a common denominator/.

Also make 2 2/3 and 3 3/10 into improper fractins...2 2/3 becomes 8/3

(38/23) should read, (3 x 8) / (2 x 3)

NQC, put so well!

I was in teacher mode and encouraging them to try it step by step...tut

{grin]

I've bought the galore park prep book for dd. here

I'm far too lazy to urge people to do things step by step.

Thanks ever so much, we are still rather struggling with how you got to that NQC but we're working on it. Unfortunately DH now wants to sit and watch the football!

SR, if there are specific steps that need more explanation, I can try.

Essentially, to multiply two numbers with fractions, you:

• convert the numbers with fractions into topheavy fractions
• multiply the tops (numerators) together, multiply the bottoms (denominators) together
• reduce the resulting fraction as appropriate

To add two numbers with fractions, you:

• add the whole numbers, set aside
• convert the fractions so they both have the same bottoms
• add the top bits
• reduce the resulting fraction as appropriate.

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