# An Important Trick

Mathematics is full of little tricks that make calculations and problem solving easier for us. A very important trick when working with fractions is that all integers can be written as fractions by dividing the integer by 1. You already know that a number divided by 1 is the number itself.

Rule

### TheTrick

Any number $a$ becomes a fraction when you divide it by 1.

 $a=\frac{a}{1}$

Example 1

Here are three examples of integers written as fractions by setting the number itself in the numerator and 1 in the denominator:

$\begin{array}{llll}\hfill 25& =\frac{25}{1},\phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}& \hfill & \phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}\\ \hfill 3& =\frac{3}{1},\phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}& \hfill & \phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}\\ \hfill -7& =-\frac{7}{1}\phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}& \hfill & \phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}\end{array}$

 $25=\frac{25}{1},\phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}3=\frac{3}{1},\phantom{\rule{2em}{0ex}}-7=-\frac{7}{1}$

Note! A fraction is reduced when the numerator and denominator no longer have any common factors (factor 1 does not apply in this context).