Home > CC2 > Chapter 3 > Lesson 3.2.1 > Problem 3-38
Simplify the following fraction expressions. Show all of your work.
Draw diagrams to represent each fraction. Diagram expression with 2 equal sized rectangles: Left Rectangle + Right Rectangle. Rectangle A, 4 rows, with 3 shaded. Rectangle B, 3 columns, with 2 shaded.
Now change the diagram so that each whole is divided into equal portions. Changes: Left rectangle, divided into 3 columns, 9 out of 12 shaded. Right column, divided into 4 rows, 8 out of 12 shaded.
Follow the steps in part (a) to solve the problem.
Draw a rectangle.
Shade in three fifths. Rectangle divided vertically into 5 columns, with 3 shaded.
Shade in one third in the other direction. Changes: Rectangle, divided into 3 rows, with first row shaded. The first 3 cells in the first row are shaded twice.
The darker overlapping region is your answer.
See part (c).