Operations with algebraic fractions
I can multiply, divide, add and subtract with algebraic fractions.
Operations with algebraic fractions
I can multiply, divide, add and subtract with algebraic fractions.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- When multiplying/dividing, it can be easier to fully factorise every expression first.
- When dividing by an expression, it is equivalent to multiplying by the reciprocal of that expression.
- When adding/subtracting with algebraic fractions, a common denominator is required.
Keywords
Reciprocal - The reciprocal is the multiplicative inverse of any non-zero number. Any non-zero number multiplied by its reciprocal is equal to 1
Factorise - To factorise is to express a term as the product of its factors.
Common misconception
Trying to simplify a division calculation by identifying common factors before calculating.
Pupils need to understand why this works with multiplication questions to understand why this does not work with division. Encourage pupils to write their division as a multiplication of the reciprocal before identifying common factors.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).