Divide Fractions in Python | Junior Secondary Math Tutorial

Understanding the Math Behind Fraction Division | Maths Explanation for Python Kids

Python makes it easy to perform arithmetic operations like dividing fractions. Whether you're simplifying fractions, multiplying them, or coding a math class project, Python provides clear syntax and powerful tools for beginners and students alike.

Dividing fractions in Python is a great way to combine coding with math skills. In this tutorial, junior secondary students will learn how to use Python to divide fractions step-by-step. We'll explore how to invert and multiply fractions, write a Python class for fraction operations, and understand the logic behind the algorithm.

Division is the inverse operation of multiplication; That is exactly what we'll do with for fractions.
Invert the fractions that come after a division sign, as well as change the division sign to multiplication, and then follow through with multiplication.

Algorithm Steps to Divide Fractions in Python

Say we are to implement a Python algorithm to divide the given fractional expression
²¹/₈ ÷ ⁷/₂;

Inverting this will yield
²¹/₈ ÷ ⁷/₂;

Then we can go ahead and use the Multiplying Fractions with Python class code to multiply the fractions.

Create a new Python module file; Call it DivideFraction.pm.
Type out the adjoining Python code for dividing fractions.

Note: You can comment out the MultiplyFraction Python object code in the main class from the previous lesson or simply continue from where it stopped.

So! Python Fun Practice Exercise - Divide Fractions

As a fun practice exercise, feel free to try out your own fractions with different numerators and denominators, and see how the Python code divides those fractions.

Python Code for Dividing Fractions - Module File

from MultiplyFraction import TimesFraction

# A class with a parent
class DivFraction(TimesFraction):

    # A constructor
    def __init__(self, fractions):
        super().__init__(fractions)

    # Returns a dictionary of the new fraction
    def doDivide(self):
        # Invert every other fraction but the first
        for count in range(1, len(self.numerators)):
            self.temp = self.numerators[count]
            self.numerators[count] = self.denominators[count]
            self.denominators[count] = self.temp

        return self.doMultiply()

Python Code for Dividing Fractions - Main Class

#!/usr/bin/python
from DivideFraction import DivFraction

##
# Dividing fractions
##
numerators   = [16, 9, 640, 7]
denominators = [9, 20, 27, 20]
fractions = {'numerators':numerators, 'denominators':denominators}

print('\n    Solving:\n')
# Print as fraction
for numerator in fractions['numerators']: print('{:13d}'.format(numerator), end='')
print('{}{:>12}'.format('\n', ' '), end='')
for wasted in range(len(numerators)-1): print('{}'.format('-     /      '), end='')
print('{:>1}'.format('-'))
for denominator in fractions['denominators']: print('{:13d}'.format(denominator), end='')
print('\n\n')

# use the DivideFraction class
div_fract = DivFraction(fractions)
fraction = div_fract.doDivide()

print('{:25d}'.format(fraction['numerator']))
print('{:>25}'.format('Answer   =   -'))
print('{:25d}'.format(fraction['denominator']))

print('\n\n')

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