Fractions Rules Memory Song

Fractions Rules Memory Song

Fractions can be complicated to learn, because there are lots of rules for adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and converting from improper to mixed numbers and back. Not to mention converting fractions to decimals!

And, as an educator (whether in the home or in a traditional school)  I'm sure you've experienced that moment when the student gives you the blank look or says, "I have NO idea how to do this!" about a concept they had just "mastered" the week before.

Learning how to work with fractions is one thing.

Remembering it is quite another!

So, to help my Daughter remember all this tricky business, I crafted a little song. I'm hoping your student finds it helpful, too!

At the bottom, I'm putting videos that help demonstrate these methods, in case you or your student need a refresher.

As usual, I avoid technical terms like "divisor" and "dividend" as much as possible - because if your student forgets what a term in the song means, the song is useless and even more memory work is needed!

If your student only has trouble remembering only one or two rules, you can just teach them that part of the song : )

It is to the tune of "Oh My Darling Clementine," which is a public domain song : )

Sing this with your student - or students - every day for a while, and you'll see their fractions skills take off! : )

Fractions song

To add two fractions together

You can simply multiply

Bottom numbers both together

That’s your new bottom number

Next you need to multiply

The left top number with the one

You find, at the right bottom

Write that on the top left

Write your plus sign right next to it

Then you need to multiply

The left bottom number with the number

At the top and right

Write that answer down right after

The plus sign on the top line

Then you add the two top numbers

to make a new top number

To subtract two fractions then

Becomes so easy, all you do

Is use a minus sign, instead of an

Addition sign

Or  find a common multiple

Of all the bottom numbers, then

Multiply both tops & bottoms by the same

Numbers to get

All new top & bottom numbers

Then you can add or subtract

Even if you have 15

Different fractions you’re working with!

If you need to multiply two

Fractions, first you multiply

The top numbers together

That’s your new top number then

You keep going, multiplying

The two bottom numbers next

That becomes your bottom number

It is just so easy

To divide two fractions is fun

You just flip-flop multiply

Then you’ve got your answer and it

Wasn’t even difficult!

Simplifing

fractions isn’t

really difficult at all

Just divide both top and bottom

By the same divisor

To convert improper fractions

Just divide the top number

By the bottom number and the answer

Is the whole number

Then the remainder that’s left

Is your new top number and

The bottom number is

the same as when you started

To make mixed numbers into

improper fractions, Multiply

bottom number and whole number

Then you add the top number

Bottom number once again

remains just the same

as it was when you started

wasn’t that so easy?

To convert fractions To decimals

Write a dot and then zeros

after top number and then 

Divide bottom into top.

Adding & Subtracting Fractions:

Multiplying Fractions:

Dividing Fractions:

 Simplifying or Reducing Fractions:

Converting Improper Fractions into Mixed Numbers:

 Convert Mixed Numbers into Improper Fractions OR Vise Versa

Converting a Fraction to a Decimal:

 Rock Style Song:

More Serious Lesson: 

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