How to Add Fractions: Steps and Examples
Adding fractions is a common math operation that kids learn in school. It can seem intimidating initially, but it can be simple with a shred of practice.
This blog post will take you through the process of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will then give examples to see how it is done. Adding fractions is necessary for a lot of subjects as you advance in science and mathematics, so be sure to adopt these skills early!
The Procedures for Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is an ability that many children have difficulty with. Nevertheless, it is a somewhat easy process once you master the fundamental principles. There are three major steps to adding fractions: determining a common denominator, adding the numerators, and streamlining the results. Let’s take a closer look at every one of these steps, and then we’ll work on some examples.
Step 1: Look for a Common Denominator
With these helpful tips, you’ll be adding fractions like a professional in a flash! The initial step is to find a common denominator for the two fractions you are adding. The least common denominator is the lowest number that both fractions will share equally.
If the fractions you desire to add share the identical denominator, you can avoid this step. If not, to look for the common denominator, you can list out the factors of each number as far as you determine a common one.
For example, let’s say we wish to add the fractions 1/3 and 1/6. The lowest common denominator for these two fractions is six for the reason that both denominators will divide equally into that number.
Here’s a good tip: if you are uncertain regarding this process, you can multiply both denominators, and you will [[also|subsequently80] get a common denominator, which would be 18.
Step Two: Adding the Numerators
Once you possess the common denominator, the immediate step is to change each fraction so that it has that denominator.
To turn these into an equivalent fraction with an identical denominator, you will multiply both the denominator and numerator by the exact number required to get the common denominator.
Following the previous example, six will become the common denominator. To convert the numerators, we will multiply 1/3 by 2 to get 2/6, while 1/6 would remain the same.
Since both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators simultaneously to achieve 3/6, a proper fraction that we will proceed to simplify.
Step Three: Simplifying the Answers
The last step is to simplify the fraction. Consequently, it means we need to reduce the fraction to its lowest terms. To achieve this, we look for the most common factor of the numerator and denominator and divide them by it. In our example, the greatest common factor of 3 and 6 is 3. When we divide both numbers by 3, we get the concluding result of 1/2.
You follow the same process to add and subtract fractions.
Examples of How to Add Fractions
Now, let’s move forward to add these two fractions:
2/4 + 6/4
By using the steps above, you will observe that they share identical denominators. Lucky for you, this means you can skip the initial step. At the moment, all you have to do is add the numerators and let it be the same denominator as before.
2/4 + 6/4 = 8/4
Now, let’s attempt to simplify the fraction. We can notice that this is an improper fraction, as the numerator is higher than the denominator. This might suggest that you could simplify the fraction, but this is not feasible when we work with proper and improper fractions.
In this example, the numerator and denominator can be divided by 4, its most common denominator. You will get a ultimate result of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by two.
Provided that you go by these steps when dividing two or more fractions, you’ll be a pro at adding fractions in matter of days.
Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
The procedure will need an extra step when you add or subtract fractions with distinct denominators. To do this function with two or more fractions, they must have the same denominator.
The Steps to Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
As we stated before this, to add unlike fractions, you must follow all three procedures stated prior to convert these unlike denominators into equivalent fractions
Examples of How to Add Fractions with Unlike Denominators
At this point, we will focus on another example by summing up the following fractions:
1/6+2/3+6/4
As shown, the denominators are distinct, and the least common multiple is 12. Thus, we multiply every fraction by a number to attain the denominator of 12.
1/6 * 2 = 2/12
2/3 * 4 = 8/12
6/4 * 3 = 18/12
Once all the fractions have a common denominator, we will go forward to total the numerators:
2/12 + 8/12 + 18/12 = 28/12
We simplify the fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by 4, coming to the final answer of 7/3.
Adding Mixed Numbers
We have mentioned like and unlike fractions, but now we will touch upon mixed fractions. These are fractions followed by whole numbers.
The Steps to Adding Mixed Numbers
To solve addition sums with mixed numbers, you must start by converting the mixed number into a fraction. Here are the procedures and keep reading for an example.
Step 1
Multiply the whole number by the numerator
Step 2
Add that number to the numerator.
Step 3
Note down your answer as a numerator and retain the denominator.
Now, you proceed by summing these unlike fractions as you normally would.
Examples of How to Add Mixed Numbers
As an example, we will work out 1 3/4 + 5/4.
Foremost, let’s convert the mixed number into a fraction. You are required to multiply the whole number by the denominator, which is 4. 1 = 4/4
Then, add the whole number represented as a fraction to the other fraction in the mixed number.
4/4 + 3/4 = 7/4
You will end up with this result:
7/4 + 5/4
By adding the numerators with the same denominator, we will have a conclusive answer of 12/4. We simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator and denominator by 4, ensuing in 3 as a final answer.
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