Sunday, June 7, 2020
SAT Math Simplifying Complex Fractions
Complex fractions are made up of one or more other fractions. For instance, a complex fraction could have à ½ as its numerator or à ¾ as its denominatorââ¬âor both! You probably havenââ¬â¢t thought much about complex fractions since elementary or primary school. After all, the further you get in your education, the more you get to lean on your calculator for basic math. But when the SATà hits you with a complex fraction full of variables, your calculator wonââ¬â¢t help. Youââ¬â¢ll have to get back to basics and simplify that fraction. Compare these two groups of complex fractions. Theyââ¬â¢re the same except that one group has variables where the other one doesnââ¬â¢t. 1510418 2334 15n4x8 a3b4 à Although your calculator can crush complex fractions made of numbers, it canââ¬â¢t break down ones that have variables. But you can. First, take the bar that separates the complex fractionââ¬â¢s numerator from its denominator and make that bar a division operator. Then find the reciprocal of the denominator-turned-divisor and multiply rather than divide. 15n à à ââ¡âà à 15 à · n1 à à ââ¡âà à 15 Ãâ" 1n à à ââ¡âà à 15n 4x8 à à ââ¡âà à 41 à · x8 à à ââ¡âà à 41 Ãâ" 8x à à ââ¡âà à 32x a3b4 à à ââ¡âà à a3 à · b4 à à ââ¡âà à a3 Ãâ" 4b à à ââ¡âà à 4a3b These basic moves will simplify any complex fraction, variables or no variables. A fraction bar implies division, and when the numerator or denominator of a fraction is itself a fraction, the division is replaced with multiplication by the denominatorââ¬â¢s reciprocal. Want more tips like these? Check out this post: SAT Math: Squares Inscribed in Circles. Photo: Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Related articles # Inequalities 0 661 # Coordinate Geometry 0 1068 #SAT Writing And Language Word- Usage Question Type 0 1162 #SAT Writing And Language Passage Structure Based Question Type 0 2847 #SAT Writing And Language Grammar Question Type 0 1792
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