The Fraction Bar Groups
Part of the Numbers & Operations section of Coddy's Pre-Algebra journey. Lesson 11 of 60.
A fraction bar does more than divide: it also groups. Everything above the bar is one package and everything below it is another, exactly as if each had its own parentheses. So in (12 + 6) / (5 - 2) you work out the top and the bottom first.
The top is 12 + 6, which is 18, and the bottom is 5 - 2, which is 3. Now the division is 18 / 3, which is 6. The bar waits until both of its packages are single numbers.
A common slip is to divide 12 by 5 straight away. The bar divides the whole top by the whole bottom, never one number from each.
Challenge
Work out (20 + 4) / (9 - 3). Finish the top and the bottom first.
Try it yourself
Simplify the expression
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Numbers & Operations
1Working on the Board
Your First AnswerType the Next LineOne Line at a TimeDots and BarsFriendly ProductsRecap: Board Work4Adding Integers
Adding Two NegativesDifferent SignsZero PairsAdding Several IntegersRecap: Adding Integers2Order of Operations
Multiply Before AddingLeft to RightParentheses FirstBrackets Inside BracketsThe Fraction Bar GroupsRecap: Order of Operations5Subtracting Integers
Add the OppositeSubtracting a NegativePlus and Minus in a RowDistance Between NumbersRecap: Subtracting Integers