BUILDING FRACTIONS: Example

Rule 17:: To build a fraction is the reverse of reducing the fraction. Instead of searching for the 1 in a fraction so that you can reduce, you insert a 1 and build.

Example:: Create a fraction with 30 in the denominator that is equivalent to the fraction .
Answer:: The answer is .
Solution:: Recall that you can multiply any number by 1 without changing the value of the number. (Rule 6). Multiply the fraction by 1. Recall that 1 has many forms, look for the form of 1 that will result in a denominator of 30.
Since 3 10 = 30, use the fraction as 1.
Now can be written as . The product is . We have created a fraction with a denominator equal to 30 that is equivalent to the fraction .
Check:: Use your calculator to show that is equivalent .

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Author:Nancy Marcus