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Integers, Fractions and Decimals

Fractions

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A


Calculating with mixed numbers

OperationRule
Mixed number to improper fractionwhole number × denominator + numerator, over the same denominator
Multiplymultiply the numerators and multiply the denominators, cancelling common factors
Dividemultiply by the reciprocal of the second fraction: turn it upside down
Add or subtractwrite both fractions over a common denominator, then add or subtract the numerators
Method: show that a mixed number calculation equals a given answer
  1. Write both mixed numbers as improper fractions.
  2. Divide: multiply by the reciprocal of the second fraction. Add or subtract: write both over a common denominator. Multiply: multiply numerators and denominators.
  3. Write the result as one fraction and simplify it.
  4. Convert it to the mixed number given in the question.

Write fractions in every line. Never write decimals in the working: they only check an answer afterwards.

Worked example: show that, dividing mixed numbers

Show that 313 ÷ 178 = 179

103 ÷ 158

= 103 × 815

= 8045 = 169

= 179

That was one page of 53

The rest of Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics is written the same way

The other 52 pages of Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics are written exactly like this one, with the mark scheme wording highlighted throughout. A year of the whole course is $6.99.

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