| Properties of Fractions | |
| For all fractions `a//b` and `c//d`, where `b!=0` and `d!=0`: | |
| Equality | `a/b=c/d` if and only if `ad=bc` |
| Equivalent fractions | `a/b=(ac)/(bc)`, `c!=0` |
| Addition | `a/b+c/b=(a+c)/b` |
| Subtraction | `a/b-c/b=(a-c)/b` |
| Multiplication | `a/b*c/d=(ac)/(bd)` |
| Division | `a/b-:c/d=a/b*d/c=(ad)/(bc)`, `c!=0` |
| Sign | `-a/b=(-a)/b=a/(-b)` |
The equality property of fractions contains the terminology "if and only if," which implies each of the following:
| Division Property of Zero |
| For `a!=0`, `0/a=0`. (Zero divided by any nonzero number is zero.) |
| `a=0` is undefined. (Division by zero is undefined.) |
| Use the properties of fractions to perform the indicated operations. Assume that `a!=0`. | |||
| a. `(2a)/3-a/5` | b. `(2a)/5*(3a)/4` | c. `(5a)/6-:(3a)/4` | d. `0/(3a)` |