Hi Yr8maths person,
How about I do a different question and you try to copy as I do it and then repeat the technique for your question.
I have written a lot of words, that doen't make it hard, it just makes it very carefully explained.
I want you to write the question and working down on a piece of paper. The fractions need to be written upright, not sideways like on the computer.
simplify 12/8
What goes into 12 and into 8?
The numbers that go into 12 are 1,2,3,4,6, and 12 (These are the factors of 12)
The numbers that go into 8 are 1,2, 4, and 8
4 is the biggest one that goes into both (If the biggest one had been 1 then that means that you cannot cancel down.)
If you didn't choise the biggest one that's alright but you would have to do the cancelling bit twice (or more times)
Now you 'cancel'
12 divided by 4 is 3. Cross out the 12 and write 3 next to it. Don't scribble it out, just one neat line through it will do.
8 divided by 4 is 2. Cross out the 8 and write 2 next to it.
Now you have simplified 12/8 down to 3/2
But 3/2 means 3 halves. If you have 3 half oranges then you have more than 1 whole orange.
Whenever the top is bigger than the bottom you have a number that is bigger than 1 (these are called improper fractions)
You have to change it to a mixed numeral.
you say, What is 3 divided by 2? answer is 1 with 1 left over. You put the left overs over the number on the bottom so the answer is;-
1 and 1/2 Don't write it like this on your piece of paper. It is just a big 1 with a little upright 1/2 next to it.
I would seriously like to know if this helps you.
+118654 
