Re: [Math4u] Rational expressions

First of all, convince yourself that this is easy, relax, and remove your mental blocks.

Let's say you want to subtract 1+15/16 from 7+3/8.

Actually, 1+15/16 is written 1-15/16 so I am being eccentric.

There are lots of ways to do this. The only thing you can't do is to subtract eighths from sixteenths, so you must convert the eighths to 16ths. Similarly, you cannot subtract feet from inches. You must convert them both to feet or inches.

1) You can convert these numbers to decimal numbers. 7.385-1.9375

2) You can convert eighths to sixteenths.

7+6/16 - (1+15/16) oops, we need to borrow 16/16

6+22/16 - (1+15/16)

= (6-1) + 22/16-15/16

= 5+ (22-15)/16

= 5 + 7/16

3) You can convert the whole number to 16ths

7+6/16 - (1+15/16)

=(7*16+6)/16 - (1*16+15)/16

=112/16 - 31/16

=81/16

Let's say you have 6 packs of beer and 12 packs of beer. If you want a total, you can convert the numbers to 6 packs and add, or convert to 12 packs and add, or convert to single cans and add. Think about it until it becomes obvious.

You need to convert fractions so they have the same bottom number, then you can add or subtract the top numbers.

Regards,

Brian

 

----- Original Message -----

From: trayc2244

To: Math4u@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 9:03 PM

Subject: [Math4u] Rational expressions

Hi everyone,
For some reason adding and subtracting rational expressions is not
coming to me easily. I have a test on this very soon.

Are there any little tips, any helpful rules, any secrets that anyone
could share that might help me understand this better??

It's not any one problem. It's rational expressions in general that I
am having trouble with.

I will appreciate any advice.

Thanks,
Tracy

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