Win an iPod touch! Enter now

Which famous historical woman would you most like to have dinner with?

Amelia Earheart
Joan of Arc
Sacajawea
Jane Austen
Betsy Ross

View Results

Complex Fractions

If the numerator or denominator or both contain fractions, then the expression is called a complex fraction. The fraction bar indicates division. To simplify a complex fraction:

  1. Simplify both numerator and denominator expressions into single fraction expressions.

  2. Divide the numerator by the denominator and simplify if possible.

Example 1: Simplify




.

Simplify numerator and denominator.




is already a single fraction expression.



Divide numerator by denominator and simplify.




Therefore,




Example 2: Simplify .

Simplify numerator and denominator.




Divide numerator by denominator and simplify.




Therefore,




Cite this article