SAT Math : Complex Fractions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Divide Complex Fractions

Simplify:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Rewrite this complex fraction using a division sign.  

Take the reciprocal of the second term and change the division of the division sign.  Simplify.

Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Complex Fractions

Solve:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First reduce the fraction. We can divide both the numerator and the denominator by 3.

 

Now our expression looks like this:

When you add or subtract fractions, you need to have the same denominator. The lowest common deonminator here is 2. So we need to multiply and solve:

Example Question #1 : Complex Fractions

Add:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To add , first simply each term by rewriting the terms using a division sign.

Take the reciprocal of the terms after the division sign, and change the division sign to a multiplication sign. Simplify.

Example Question #3 : Complex Fractions

Add:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The terms shown are complex fractions.  We first need to simplify each and find the least common denominator before solving.

Rewrite the complex fraction using a division sign.

Change the division sign to a multiplication sign, and take the reciprocal of the second term.

Repeat this step for the second term.

Add the two terms together.  

The answer is:  

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