Best FRACTION Hack EVER!

TabletClass Math:

This video explains a great hack, short cut when adding and subtracting fractions.

[hannabaal]

50 years ago I took College Algebra from a young professor named Charles Miller. He clarified things is such a way that I actually learned Algebra. He wrote his own textbook but it wasn't published yet, so he put it in 3 ring binders and we used it. The last time I saw that textbook it was in it's 8th printing.

[pvanb]

I don't remember how I was taught the LCD method, but this has always been how I add/subtract fractions. I never thought of it as a trick or hack.

[murrayharris]

This is a pretty standard method. I was taught it over 50 years ago. There is a risk in using it as a shortcut if you don’t understand what you’re really doing. Students learning to add or subtract fractions need to know what it is they’re really doing before blindly applying such “hacks.”

[andtrrrot]

A hack indeed, totally bypassing the concepts of an LCD and equivalent fractions. Should only be used after understanding the former and latter.

[cometcal]

The concept of this hack method is, in effect, the same as the traditional method of finding common denominators first. The benefit of this hack is that it streamlines the procedure for finding the numerators. I would only encourage students to use the hack method if they understand the principle of the traditional method first.

[Dina_Darling]

I crashed and burned when I got to fractions. Now, at 62, I learn math because I want to. This is amazing. Thanks.

[colinosborne]

I'm 77 and still learning. I remember at eight my father reducing me to tears because I couldn't understand what an LCD was, (many years later in his papers I found his old school reports where I learned he was weak at maths).🤣

[debbie]

I always struggled with math, especially fractions in school. As an adult, I hope to learn how to do it with a little more ease.

[CarrieGerenScogginsOfficial]

It's been so many years since I worked on my undergrad. I was fortunate that what I majored in didn't require a whole lot of math, outside of getting my real estate license, Science classes, and of course electronics. I started college 33 yrs ago, most of the math was that yr, freshman year. I am turning 51 in a few days, my hair is solid gray (colored, ) and I just don't remember it, and really don't care to go back over it again. I appreciate the video, because if i had a child it would be so helpful. It was hard to remember basic math such as small fractions. Oddly, I remember the real estate math equations more easily, even though our broker always took care of that part of the sell of a home.

[johnmcguire]

Wish when I was jn high-school had you as my math teacher with a kind calmly voice n great at explaining long way n short way n being careful to choose correct method n not to be fooled

[jeffpiatt]

Thanks for the video. I was never taught this in school. Was always taught to find the LCD and do it the first way. Appreciate the work you put into your videos.

[prdoyle]

Spoiler alert: it's cross multiplying, and the video starts at 6:04.

[autumnisnothere]

I had a difficult time understanding algebra in high school but our teacher taught us this method of dealing with fractions and I still remember it 58 years later.

[Stuart]

The order in which you do the two upward facing arrows is significant in that sometimes you get a negative number depending on which arrow you do first when subtracting.

[RichM]

1st video I’ve watched on your channel. Subscribed. Long story short I didn’t apply myself in high school in math. Once I attended college I struggled. Had an algebra teacher that was one of the BEST I ever had. His methods of teaching really made me see the light and I enjoyed algebra! NEVER thought I’d say that. Graduated college in ‘87 and still feel to this day the professor was a highlight in my life! So I’m watching YouTube and I see this “refresher course” and absolutely enjoyed it! Thank you sir! I’m going to watch daily and sharpen those math skills! Very excited👍 For the know it alls in previous comments some may not know the bow tie method and therefore the “excessive verbiage” may bore you but for others is a continuation of learning. Go brush up on your psychology and join us common folk when we get to your level😅

[peterpeggycheah]

4/12=1/3 3/7+1/3. LCM 21. 3/7=9/21. 1/3=7/21 9+7=16. 16/21. Ans

[dougsmith]

I wish I had known this 55 years ago. I might have even come to enjoy math instead of dread it. I’ll remember this for my grandchildren.

[markjacobsen]

Thanks for a great video. I am an electrical engineer and do math for a living. Always looking for things to share with my 11 year old grand daughter.
I read some of the comments (from the Karens below) and am disappointed at the lack of decorum.

[kentbarr]

Excellent. What a wonderful way to illustrated an accurate calculation fractions without Lowest Common Numerator... which does not matter. Thank you for your teaching. (Old UCLA Math grad)

[disgruntledtoons]

One of the things about math is that for most operations, if two methods get the same results for all inputs, they are really the same method.