## Fractions: How does 18/12 become 1 and 6/12?

Fractions, ratios, percentages, exponents, number patterns, word problems without variables, etc.
English
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Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2009 2:19 pm
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### Fractions: How does 18/12 become 1 and 6/12?

Hello there! I'm new in the forum. It's been awhile since I've been in a math class. I started a beginning algebra class just last week and am trying to review a little before I jump into my homework.

I'm stuck on the concept of fractions and want to know, when reducing fractions, how does that whole number get figured into the sum? If I were reducing 18/12, how would it become 1 and 6/12? I don't get how the 1 got there.

I hope that makes sense. (If there are codes I can use to format fractions correctly on these boards, please let me know that also!) Thanks so much!

stapel_eliz
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Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 4:22 pm
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English wrote:I'm stuck on the concept of fractions and want to know, when reducing fractions, how does that whole number get figured into the sum? If I were reducing 18/12, how would it become 1 and 6/12? I don't get how the 1 got there.

Do the long division! Eighteen divided by twelve gives one, with a remainder of six. The whole-number part of the answer (namely, the "1") is the whole-number part of the mixed number. The remainder-over-the-divisor part (namely, the "6" over the "12", which of course reduces to "1/2") is the fractional part of the mixed number. (You can view worked examples here.)

English wrote:If there are codes I can use to format fractions correctly on these boards, please let me know that also!

The formatting you used was fine but you can read an article on the topic here. You can also use the LaTeX capability of the forums: Click the "tex" button in the line of formatting commands, and enter the following:

\frac{18}{12}

...to get:

. . . . .$\frac{18}{12}$

Have fun!

Eliz.