Question

Can anyone help me with pre algebra

Answer 1

Sure, just ask a specific question.

Answer 2

Ok well I need to learn the easy way to simply fractions such as : 4/5-3/8-1/8

Answer 3

I can find the lcd it's just the numerator

Answer 4

Ok, what is the lcd between 5 and 8?

Answer 5

40, right?

Answer 6

and if you simplify that it's 20

Answer 7

Well don't get ahead of yourself yet. How many 5's are in 40?

Answer 8

um 8?

Answer 9

Right, so you must multiply the numerator of 4/5 by 8. How many 8's are in 40?

Answer 10

5

Answer 11

huh

Answer 12

I'm not sure what he's referring to, but since there are 5 8's in 40, you must multiply the numerators of 3/8 and 1/8 by 5.

Answer 13

There is no division, I'm not sure what you're talking about :/

Answer 14

Yes, but the question involves simply subtracting fractions.......for a pre-algebra student......

Answer 15

So 4/5-3/8-1/8= 32/40 -15/40 - 5/40 =17/40- 5/40 =12/40 = 3/10??

Answer 16

Thats absolutely correct. :]

Answer 17

Okay so for a harder question such as : 7/8 / 1/4 - 1/4 / 2 ... how do i get that? and in between each fraction this symbol means division (/) for this question

Answer 18

Here is where you can apply what godorovg was saying. Dividing is the same as multiplying by reciprocals.

Answer 19

So 7/8 / 1/4 = 7/8 * 4/1 do you see?

Answer 20

I don't get this question one bit "/ sorry :(

Answer 21

Well, you know what a reciprocal is, correct?

Answer 22

isn't that like turning the fraction upside down.?

Answer 23

Yep. When dividing fractions, its easiest to think about it as taking the numerator and multiplying it by the reciprocal of the denominator.
\[(7/8)/(1/4) = 7/8 *4/1\]
Similarly
\[(1/4)/2 = 1/4 *1/2\]
Since the whole number '2' has an assumed denominator of 1.

Answer 24

Therefore the reciprocal of 2 is 1/2

Answer 25

Okay, I think i'm getting the hang of it a little bit.

Answer 26

Excellent, do you know how to multiply fractions? Show us what you've got when you get it.

Answer 27

I'm still at a stand still.. it's so hard because everytime I think I got it... the math problems end up looking like this ^*%&%*(^*%^*() x (*(^*%)& = ?

Answer 28

Well start with multiplying fractions, can you do this?

Answer 29

Well give me a question i'll try to answer it and maybe u guys can tell me where I went wrong

Answer 30

Well, I can't be sure, but in the case of 7/8 * 4/1, what do you get?

Answer 31

When multiplying fractions, you simply multiply both the numerator and denominator.

Answer 32

okay this is an example only: if you have 5/8 / 1/4 what do you?

Answer 33

28/8 for question number one

Answer 34

right, now set that aside.
For 1/4 * 1/2, what do you get?

Answer 35

I'm still not good at dividing fractions yet godor

Answer 36

Well just focus here with me, and we can get you on the right track.

Answer 37

& qp is that sign for multiplying of dividing?

Answer 38

* means multiply So does (1/4)(1/2)

Answer 39

1/8 ?

Answer 40

Thats right.
Now you simply subtract them.
28/8 - 1/8

Answer 41

27/8

Answer 42

Thats right.
You can either leave that as it is because it doesn't simplify nicely or turn it into an improper fraction.
27/8 should be fine for your teacher.

Answer 43

Okay, what about this one.. I will draw it out this time.