how to do the sums and products of rational numbers quick check

1 answer

To do the sums and products of rational numbers, follow these steps:

1. Simplify the given rational numbers if necessary by canceling out common factors in the numerator and denominator.
2. Determine the operation to be performed (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division) based on the problem.
3. For addition or subtraction:
- Find a common denominator by multiplying the denominators of the rational numbers.
- Rewrite each rational number with the common denominator.
- Add or subtract the numerators while keeping the common denominator the same.
- Simplify the resulting fraction if possible.
4. For multiplication:
- Multiply the numerators together to get the new numerator.
- Multiply the denominators together to get the new denominator.
- Simplify the resulting fraction if possible.
5. For division:
- Invert the second rational number (also known as the reciprocal) by swapping the numerator and denominator.
- Multiply the first rational number by the inverted second rational number.
- Simplify the resulting fraction if possible.

After performing the necessary calculations, check your work for accuracy and simplify the final fraction whenever possible.