4.5+Dividing+Fractions

Section 4.5 - Dividing Fractions

 * Reciprocal **= When you take a fraction and switch the numerator and denominator, that is called the reciprocal of the fraction. You need reciprocals to divide fractions.

__To Divide Fractions__: 1) Put the fractions side by side. 2) Change the second fraction to its reciprocal. 3) Multiply the numerator and denominator, just like in multiplication. 4) Reduce, if possible.




 * Complex Fractions**

Take a look at the complex fraction to the right. How would you ever solve it? Well, there are a couple of easy ways, but for now, the easiest way would be to see it differently - as one fraction divided by another fraction. So rewrite it and do it just like you just learned - multiply by the reciprocal of the second one.

Oh yeah, you might have to turn a whole number into a fraction before doing the division, but it is still easier than it looks.


 * Chapter Four Practice Problems**

**Where to from here?**
4.1 Greatest Common Factor 4.2 What is a Fraction? 4.3 Equivalent Fractions 4.4 Multiplying Fractions 4.5 Dividing Fractions 4.6 Adding and Subtracting Like Fractions 4.7 Adding and Subtracting Unlike Fractions 4.8 Fraction Coefficients 4.9 Solving for X with Fractions Chapter Four Review Chapter Four Homework