7 shortcuts for solving fractions in record time

I work an example for each shortcut listed below in the video. Here is a brief description of each tip.

Tip Number 1 - The Criss Cross Method allows you to add fractions without finding the least common multiple. Tip Number 2- A modified version of adding fractions without finding an LCM, but it does not involve cross multiplying. Tip number 3- The Keep Change Flip method is a great shortcut dividing fractions. Take the first term and keep it. Then change to the division to multiplication, then flip the last fraction. Tip Number 4- What is the name of the fraction bar? It is called the vinculum. Tip Number 5- The Ladder method which is also called the cake method is an easy method for finding the lowest common multiple and the greatest common factor. Tip number 6- The circle method turns a mixed number into an improper fraction. Tip number 7- Memorize the decimal equivalent of major fractions. In the video, I show 12 important fractions and the decimal equivalent of the fraction. We all know how important it is to memorize our multiplication tables. In the same way, memorizing these fraction decimal equivalents will save you time, and more important will help your understanding of fractions

Additional Fraction Resources

Adding fractions calculator
Check your work with this fraction calculator.

Fraction Shortcut Video

Dividing Fraction-Use this trick

This page provides a video and written instructions for dividing fractions easily.

MooMooMath-7 Fraction Shortcuts

7 simple shortcuts in order to make working with fractions a little easier.

How to Read and Write a Decimal

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Adding Three or More Fractions

In this video you will learn to add three or more fractions with different denominators.

Transcript

Welcome to MooMooMath where we upload a ne Math video everyday. In this video I would like to work on adding more than one fraction. In particular adding three fractions. For instance, how would you add 1/2 + 1/3 + 3/4. We will start with an easy one.

I line the fractions up in a vertical line. Put 1/2 + 1/3 + 3/4 in a vertical line. I then find a common denominator for all three fractions. I know 12 will be the common denominator. I know 2 will go into 12 6 times and 6 x 1 =6 so we have 6/12. I keep them in this vertical line. 3 goes into 12 4 times and 4 x 1 = 4, and 4 goes into 12 3 times, and 3 times 9 = 9.

I next just add them up and when I add them I get 19/12

I then can convert to a mixed fraction by dividing 19 by 12 which equals 1 7/12.

Lets look at another example. Lets add 1/2 + 3/4 + 7/8

I line them up in a vertical column, and then I start thinking about a common denominator of 2.4.and 8. 8 will be the common denominator. 2 goes into 2 times, so we have 2/8's, oops 2 goes into 8 4 times.

Next 4 goes into 8 2 times and 2 times 3 = 6 and 8 goes into 8 1 time so that equals 7/8.

Next I add them, 4/8 + 6/8+7/8 = 17/8.

I have an improper fraction and 8 will go into 17 two times which is 16 and that leaves 2 1/8.

Let me go over how I created the mixed fraction.

17 divided by 8 equals 2 and 17 -16 =1 so it becomes 2 1/8

On this last one I have mixed fractions.

What if you have the following?

1 1/2 + 21/6 + 3 1/4

You can line them up vertically.

Lets line them up and you have, 1 1/2 + 2 1/6 + 3 1/4

Next you can add the whole numbers, and 1 + 2 + 3 = 6

and you will add the fractions. I'm going to rewrite them

1/2 + 1/6 + 1/4

Find a common denominator, which is 12, and 2 goes into 12 6 times, 6 goes into 12 2 times, and 4 goes into 12 3 times. I next add them up and I get 6 + 2 + 3 = 11/12

Now I combine these two and end up with 6 11/12, and I can't simplify anymore.

Thanks for watching and we upload a new Math video everyday.

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Adding Fractions Shortcut-Smiley Face Method

Learn how to add fractions using the smiley face method.
Using this method you don't find a lowest common denominator, but instead you multiply the denominator and cross multiply the numerators.
As a result it looks like a smiley face.

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How to add three or more fractions

Adding more than two fractions at a time is just like adding two fractions, but slightly different at the same time.
Before you add the fractions ,you need to make sure all of the denominators are the same, but instead of just two fractions you will be looking at several fractions.
Also, if you have to find a least common denominator, you will need to find a common denominator for several numbers.
Follow these simple steps for adding three or more fractions.

Step 1: Check to see if the denominators (bottom numbers) are the same.

Step 2.  If they are not the same find a least common denominator for all of the fractions.
The least common denominator is the smallest positive integer that is a multiple of each denominator in the set of fractions.
For example, say you are adding the following fractions, 1/3 + 2/4 + 1 /2.
The least common denominator (LCD)  would be 12 because all three of the numbers divide evenly into 12.

Divide the denominator into the least common denominator, and multiply this number by the numerator for each fraction.
For example:  2/4
12 ÷ 4 = 3
3 x 2 = 6
So the fraction becomes   6/12
Repeat this for each fraction.

1/3 becomes 12 ÷3 = 4
4 x 1 = 4
The fraction becomes 4/12
And 1 /2 becomes 6/12

Step 3. Add the top numerators (top numbers)
6 + 4 + 6 = 16

Step 4. Place the answer over the denominator from step 2.
16/12

Step 5. Simplify the fraction if possible.
16 ÷ 12 = 2 4/12

2 4/12 can be simplified to   2 1/3

Remember, you can add the fractions in any order and get the same answer.
For example, 2/3 + 1/4 + 5/6 will equal 5/6 + 1/4 + 2/3.

Here is a link to a helpful fraction calculator so you can check your work.

This least common denominator calculator may come in handy also.

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Save time and frustration - 7 Fraction Shortcuts Videos

Frustrated with fractions, or need to learn how to solve fractions more quickly? Check out these videos to learn tips and tricks for working with fractions. 

Fractions addition and subtraction trick - do them the fast

This video by tecmath is the number one fraction shortcut found on YouTube. The video teaches you how to add fractions by multiplying the denominators, and then cross multiplying the numerators and denominators. The technique can take the hassle out of adding and subtracting fractions.

Multiplying Fractions Using Cancellation

You can help make multiplying fractions easier by using cancellation before multiplying.  This video shows how to use cancellation by working sample problems.

7 Shortcuts for solving fractions in record time

This video has 7 fraction shortcuts to help with fractions. The 7 tips and tricks include adding fractions without an LCM, dividing fractions using Keep Change Flip, an easy way to find the lowest common denominator, and an easy way to solve improper fractions.

Tricks for Simplifying Fractions: Elementary Math

One simple trick you can use with fractions is to factor the individual components of the fraction, and then cancel out the common factors. This video by ehow solves example problems using this shortcut.

Fractions to percentage calculations

Use this method in order help make converting fractions to a percent easy and fast.

Factor Trees

Factor trees can be really helpful if you need to reduce fractions. Factor trees are a systematic method for finding all of the factors of a number. This can be handy when finding lowest common factors of fractions.

Birthday cake method for finding LCM and GCF

This is a great method used to find the LCM and GCF of numbers. The method is called the birthday cake because it looks like a birthday cake when you are finding factors. If you can't remember how to find the LCM and GCF this method will help.

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Adding Fractions Shortcut- Smiley Face Method

     


 Use this shortcut to add fractions easily.
 Steps of the Smiley Method

1. Multiply the denominators

2. Starting with the fraction on the left, cross multiply the numerator times the denominator.

 3. Add the two solutions from step 2 for your numerator.

4. Reduce if possible.

This shortcut works on all proper and improper fractions, and with mixed fractions all you need to do is to convert the fraction to an improper fraction.I call the shortcut the "smiley method" because you multiply the denominators and the two fractions looks like a face that is smiling.

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YouTube's Top 10 Fraction Songs

Songs or even short jingles are a great way to memorize material. However,if you have gone to YouTube and watched some of the Math videos you are aware that some of them are just not very good. After watching every fraction song video on YouTube I created this list in order to highlight the videos that where well done. 
If you disagree or have an excellent fraction song video suggestion,please leave a comment below. These fraction songs can be a great way to memorize facts about fractions,start a class,end a class, or just add a little joy to fractions.
The songs are in reverse order, so here is the countdown.

10. Fractions Song Mr. R  This is a really fun song that will get an elementary class dancing,and learning fractions. It's main theme is learning numerators and denominators, but includes much more information about fractions.

9. Fraction Shuffle   This fraction song is a cover of the cupid shuffle with lyrics about fractions. 

8. Math Rocks The fraction Song  Fun upbeat fraction song geared for 5th and 6th graders. It covers multiplying fractions.

7. Complex Fraction Song  A quick video on complex fractions. When the song is finished they work several example problems on simplifying complex fractions. I can respect anyone willing to make a song covering complex fractions.

6. Flocabulary Keep Change Flip-Dividing Fractions   
Creative video,good content,fun music.  Flocabulary is an online library of educational hip-hop songs and videos for grades K-12. All of their videos are very well done.


5. Ratio and Fraction Song  This video covers the relationships between fractions and ratios. 

4.Frozen Fractions 'Here I Go!' - Sing-A-Long and Learn Fraction Rules! (Frozen Parody)  This is a really cute video produced by an elementary class on the rules of fractions. This Frozen Fractions video has over 80.000 views. 

3.Mr. Duey -Fractions  The chorus of this fraction songs declares, "teach you how to get rid of an improper fraction,teach you how to get a percentage from a fraction." Mr. Duey brings a lot of energy, good music,and instructional lyrics to fractions. This is one of the top  viewed fraction videos on YouTube with over 600,000 views.

2.The Improper Fraction Song  This video has one goal. It gives you a catchy little tune to help you remember the properties of an improper fraction.

1.Simplifying Fractions songs by Heath     The song states," reach high for the numerator, and low for the denominator,break it down break it down." This video combines catchy lyrics, great animations, directions for simplifying fractions, and good music. I personally love this video on fractions,and feel it deserves more than 80,000 views.

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Five Fraction Calculators

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