ACT Math : Algebraic Fractions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Algebraic Fractions

Change to a mixed number 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To convert from a fraction to a mixed number we must find out how many times the denominator goes into the numerator using division and the remainder becomes the new fraction. 

 

Example Question #2 : Algebraic Fractions

What is the average of and ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To average, we have to add the values and divide by two. To do this we need to find a common denomenator of 6. We then add and divide by 2, yielding 4.5/6. This reduces to 3/4.

Example Question #3 : Algebraic Fractions

Which of the following is equivalent to  ?

Possible Answers:

 

None of the answers are correct

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This problem is solved the same way ½ + 1/3 is solved.  For example,  ½ + 1/3 = 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6.  Find a common denominator then convert each fraction into an equivalent fraction using that common denominator.  The final step is to add the two new fractions and simplify.

Example Question #3 : Algebraic Fractions

A train travels at a constant rate of  meters per second. How many kilometers does it travel in  minutes?

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Set up the conversions as fractions and solve:

\dpi{100} \small \frac{20m}{1sec}\times \frac{60sec^}{1min}\times \frac{1km}{1000m}\times \frac{10min}{1}

Example Question #4 : Algebraic Fractions

Simplify.  \frac{4x^{4}z^{3}}{2xz^{2}}

Possible Answers:

\frac{2x^{4}z^{3}}{xz}

2x^{3}z

Can't be simplified

2x^{4}z^{3}

4x^{3}z

Correct answer:

2x^{3}z

Explanation:

To simplify exponents which are being divided, subtract the exponents on the bottom from exponents on the top.  Remember that only exponents with the same bases can be simplified

Example Question #5 : Algebraic Fractions

Simplify:

 

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

x2 – y2 can be also expressed as (x + y)(x – y).

Therefore, the fraction now can be re-written as (x + y)(x – y)/(x + y).

This simplifies to (x – y).

Example Question #6 : Algebraic Fractions

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Notice that the term appears frequently. Let's try to factor that out:

Now multiply both the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator:

 

 

Example Question #7 : Algebraic Fractions

Simplify:

(2x + 4)/(x + 2)

Possible Answers:

x + 2

2

2x + 2

x + 1

x + 4

Correct answer:

2

Explanation:

(2x + 4)/(x + 2)

To simplify you must first factor the top polynomial to 2(x + 2). You may then eliminate the identical (x + 2) from the top and bottom leaving 2.

Example Question #7 : Algebraic Fractions

Simplify the following expression:

\frac{2x^{4}-32}{2x^{2}-8}

Possible Answers:

x^{2}+4

2(x^{2}-4)

x^{2}-4

2

(x+2)(x-2)

Correct answer:

x^{2}+4

Explanation:

Factor both the numerator and the denominator:

\frac{2(x^{2}-4)(x^{2}+4)}{2(x^{2}-4)}

After reducing the fraction, all that remains is:

(x^{2}+4)

Example Question #8 : Algebraic Fractions

Simplify:

 

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers

Correct answer:

Explanation:

With this problem the first thing to do is cancel out variables. The x2 can all be divided by each other because they are present in each system. The equation will now look like this:

 

Now we can see that the equation can all be divided by y, leaving the answer to be:

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