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 multiply fractions, multiply the numerators together and then multiply the denominators together:

\( \frac{1}{8} \) x \( \frac{2}{6} \) = \( \frac{1 x 2}{8 x 6} \) = \( \frac{2}{48} \) = \(\frac{1}{24}\)

The yearly interest charged on this loan is the annual interest rate multiplied by the amount borrowed:

interest = annual interest rate x loan amount

i = (\( \frac{6}{100} \)) x $1,400
i = 0.01 x $1,400
i = $14

To divide fractions, invert the second fraction and then multiply:

\( \frac{3}{6} \) ÷ \( \frac{4}{8} \) = \( \frac{3}{6} \) x \( \frac{8}{4} \)

To multiply fractions, multiply the numerators together and then multiply the denominators together:

\( \frac{3}{6} \) x \( \frac{8}{4} \) = \( \frac{3 x 8}{6 x 4} \) = \( \frac{24}{24} \) = 1

To raise a term with an exponent to another exponent, retain the base and multiply the exponents: