Rule 7: Different Faces of the Number 1

The number 1 can take on many forms. 4 - 3 = 1 and 10 - 9 = 1 can be used as a substitution for the number 1 because they have a value of 1. When the numerator of a fraction is equivalent to the denominator of a fraction, the value of the fraction is 1. This only works when you have a legal fraction; i.e., the denominator does not equal zero. You can substitute one of these fractions for the numer 1.

Example 1: tex2html_wrap_inline53

Example 2: tex2html_wrap_inline55

Example 3: tex2html_wrap_inline57 According to Rule 1, tex2html_wrap_inline59 is not a legal fraction because the denominator is zero. Therefore, not only does, tex2html_wrap_inline59 is undefined.

Example 4: tex2html_wrap_inline63 The numerator is equivalent to the denominator.

Example 5: tex2html_wrap_inline65 as long as tex2html_wrap_inline67 .

Work the following problems and click on Answer to check your results.

Problem 1: Find 9 x 1.

Answer.

Problem 2: Find tex2html_wrap_inline69 .

Answer.

Problem 3: Write tex2html_wrap_inline71 in three other ways.

Answer.

Problem 4: Write tex2html_wrap_inline73 in three other ways.

Answer.

Problem 5: Write tex2html_wrap_inline75 in three other ways.

Answer.

Problem 6: Write 1 in three other ways.

Answer.

Problem 7: Write 7 as a fraction in three ways.

Answer.

Problem 8: Write -11 as a fraction in three ways.

Answer.

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