CSci 581-01: Special Topics in Computer Science
Object-Oriented Design & Programming
Fall Semester 1997

Assignment #3
Due Midnight, 6 October**

** Assignment #4 will likely be due on the same day, so I advise you to do this assignment by 29 September if possible

Develop a Java class for fractions (i.e., rational numbers). You can use a pair of integers to represent the numerator and denominator of the fraction.

Your class should include the following:

• appropriate constructors
• methods to return the numerator and denominator values
• methods to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions
• methods to compare fractions in the usual ways (i.e., for =, !=, <, <=, >, >=).
• a toString() method to convert the fraction to an appropriate String format and return it
• a clone() method to create a copy of the fraction and return it

Design questions: How do you handle the reduction of the fractions to the lowest common denominator? How do you represent zero? How do you represent negative values? Do you use a unique representation for each value (e.g., 1/3, 2/6, and -1/-3 in just one way)? How do you handle division by zero?

Document the class appropriately!

Test the program appropriately! I would prefer you to write a main method with appropriate tests embedded so that all I need to do is to execute the class. If necessary, include any testing output from your test run.

Submit the source code and any testing output via email to cs581@hal.cs.olemiss.edu.

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