Were you aware there is a special section in Y answers for homework help? You would probably have tons of success posting your question about homework type things in the homework section.
2006-08-18 12:05:02
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answer #1
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answered by Terri 6
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Unit Fraction Definition
2016-09-28 01:28:37
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answer #2
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answered by ? 4
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A unit fraction is a rational number written as a fraction where the numerator is one and the denominator is a positive integer. A unit fraction is therefore the reciprocal of a positive integer, 1/n. Examples are 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/42 etc.
The partial sum
1/1+1/2+1/3+...+1/n
gives the harmonic series, and is close to loge(n)+γ as n increases. So the sum of all unit fractions is infinite.
The product of two unit fractions is again a unit fraction; the sum and difference may be unit fractions, though are often not.
* 1/m × 1/n = 1/(mn)
o 1/2 × 1/5 = 1/10
o 1/3 × 1/6 = 1/18
* 1/m + 1/n = (n+m)/(mn)
o 1/2 + 1/5 = 7/10
o 1/3 + 1/6 = 1/2
* 1/m - 1/n = (n-m)/(mn)
o 1/2 - 1/5 = 3/10
o 1/3 - 1/6 = 1/6
Any positive rational number can be written as the sum of distinct unit fractions. The result is an Egyptian fraction, but the expression is not unique. For example
0.8 = 1/2+1/4+1/20 = 1/3+1/5+1/6+1/10.
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History
Unit fractions were used by the ancient Egyptians to facilitate mathematical computations. In modern notation Egyptian fractions may be indicated as \overline{2}, \overline{3}, \overline{4}, \overline{5} and so forth.
Unlike systems with a fixed base such as the decimal system which are forced to a long series of ever closer approximations, the variable base allowed the Egyptians to get to an exact equivalent relatively quickly.
Even irrational numbers such as π can be closely approximated using for example 3\ \overline{7} especially when using a ruler divided into parts as calculator makes the process trivially simple.
For calculations involving multiplication or division by doubling, 3\ \overline{7} may be taken as 3\ \overline{8}\ \overline{64}.
Using fractions 2/3 or 3/4 is adequate in terms of pure mathematics but breaks down in human terms as for example in distributing rations of grain and beer where the number of people is not really a variable.
2006-08-18 05:15:10
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answer #3
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answered by PK LAMBA 6
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A fraction whose numerator is 1 (eg, 1/1, 1/3, 1/x). Every nonzero number n may be written as a unit fraction, since n = 1/(1/n).
2006-08-18 05:15:35
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answer #4
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answered by jgal 2
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a fraction with one as the numerator, and a rational no. as denominator is a unit fraction
2006-08-19 06:31:41
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answer #5
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answered by savvy 2
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A fraction whose numerator is one (1)
2006-08-18 07:58:06
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answer #6
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answered by onejazzyjul 3
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the first answer itseld is enough
2006-08-20 07:23:24
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answer #7
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answered by j_chiramel 2
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