A Little Simi-Rap about Fractions

This is a song about fractions that I found at http://www.educationalrap.com

Chorus
How do I work with fractions?
Oh, multiply and divide, you know?
Add, subtract can seem so hard at first
But on this track you’ll learn by the third verse

Verse I
Somebody told me that they was having a problem with
Fractions and how to solve them in math style equations
Like how to add them, subtract them, and multiply them
And then divide them and have the right answer before the day’s end
Though complicated it seems, it’s not as hard if you know
The formulaic approach to find the answer
So if we start at the top and make our way to the bottom
We’ll understand through our mathematical banter

Let’s first examine a fraction, exactly what it’s
Composed of and get a little bit closer to understanding
You’ve got a number on top that’s followed next by a line
Balanced on top of a number on which it’s standing
The number on top is known as the numerator
Denominator’s the number that’s chilling down at the bottom
And all we do is just use this very knowledge as tools
To figure out computations and then we’ve got ‘em

Chorus

Verse II
So let’s say that we take 1∕5 + 1∕5
How do we go about coming up with an answer?
Whether addition with fractions or you’re using subtraction
There are a couple of steps you must adhere to
Since there’s a common denominator we take the 5
And drag it over and add the top numbers
1 and 1 is just 2; 2 over the 5
Makes 2∕5 the solution with no blunders.

Subtraction is just the same except you go in reverse
So 2 minus the 1 would give you 1∕5
And 1∕5 plus 1∕2 requires a li’l different math
We need the bottom numbers the same to start with
To get the lowest common denominator
Which is the smallest number that 5 and 2 go in
Divide the product of 5 and 2 by their greatest common factor (which is 1!)
And you get 10


Chorus

Verse III
Now, in 1∕5 you times the 5 by the 2
And then the 1 by the 2
And wind up with 2∕10
And in 1∕2, you times the 5 in the math
And wind up with 5∕10 + 2∕10 and solve that
And it’s the same if you want to subtract
So we’ll move on to multiplication and figure out that
And these ones have the easiest steps
You just times the tops by the tops
And then the bottom by the lower deck, and simplify

So now we move onward to divide
‘Cause we have cruised smoothly through this ride
So when dividing fractions, you just flip the last one
And after that, then you multiply
Example! 2∕3 ÷ 3∕4 = 2∕3 × 4∕3 = 8∕9
And that’s how you divide
It’s a fraction computation party!