A rational number (or fraction) is represented as a ratio between two integers, a and b, and has the form \({a \over b}\) where a is the numerator and b is the denominator. An improper fraction (\({5 \over 3} \)) has a numerator with a greater absolute value than the denominator and can be converted into a mixed number (\(1 {2 \over 3} \)) which has a whole number part and a fractional part.

To add these fractions, first find the lowest common multiple of their denominators. The first few multiples of 8 are [8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80] and the first few multiples of 12 are [12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96]. The first few multiples they share are [24, 48, 72, 96] making 24 the smallest multiple 8 and 12 share.

Next, convert the fractions so each denominator equals the lowest common multiple:

\( \frac{3 x 3}{8 x 3} \) + \( \frac{3 x 2}{12 x 2} \)

\( \frac{9}{24} \) + \( \frac{6}{24} \)

Now, because the fractions share a common denominator, you can add them:

\( \frac{9 + 6}{24} \) = \( \frac{15}{24} \) = \(\frac{5}{8}\)

A factorial is the product of an integer and all the positive integers below it. To solve a fraction featuring factorials, expand the factorials and cancel out like numbers:

\( \frac{4!}{2!} \)
\( \frac{4 \times 3 \times 2 \times 1}{2 \times 1} \)
\( \frac{4 \times 3}{1} \)
\( 4 \times 3 \)
12

A number with an exponent (b^e) consists of a base (b) raised to a power (e). The exponent indicates the number of times that the base is multiplied by itself. A base with an exponent of 1 equals the base (b¹ = b) and a base with an exponent of 0 equals 1 ( (b⁰ = 1).

An integer is any whole number, including zero. An integer can be either positive or negative. Examples include -77, -1, 0, 55, 119.