How to Add Fractions: Steps and Examples
Adding fractions is a common math problem that kids study in school. It can appear intimidating at first, but it can be simple with a shred of practice.
This blog article will walk you through the steps of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will ,on top of that, provide examples to show how it is done. Adding fractions is necessary for a lot of subjects as you progress in mathematics and science, so be sure to master these skills initially!
The Steps of Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is a skill that a lot of students have a problem with. However, it is a relatively easy process once you master the essential principles. There are three main steps to adding fractions: finding a common denominator, adding the numerators, and streamlining the results. Let’s take a closer look at each of these steps, and then we’ll do some examples.
Step 1: Finding a Common Denominator
With these valuable tips, you’ll be adding fractions like a expert in no time! The initial step is to determine 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 equal denominator, you can skip this step. If not, to determine the common denominator, you can determine the amount of the factors of respective number as far as you find a common one.
For example, let’s say we desire 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 quick tip: if you are unsure about this step, 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 following step is to convert each fraction so that it has that denominator.
To turn these into an equivalent fraction with the same denominator, you will multiply both the denominator and numerator by the exact number required to achieve the common denominator.
Following the previous example, 6 will become the common denominator. To convert the numerators, we will multiply 1/3 by 2 to achieve 2/6, while 1/6 would remain the same.
Considering that both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators collectively to attain 3/6, a proper fraction that we will continue to simplify.
Step Three: Streamlining the Answers
The last process is to simplify the fraction. Doing so means we need to reduce the fraction to its minimum terms. To accomplish 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 exact process to add and subtract fractions.
Examples of How to Add Fractions
Now, let’s continue to add these two fractions:
2/4 + 6/4
By utilizing the steps above, you will notice that they share identical denominators. Lucky you, this means you can skip the initial stage. At the moment, all you have to do is add the numerators and leave the same denominator as it was.
2/4 + 6/4 = 8/4
Now, let’s try 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 necessarily the case with proper and improper fractions.
In this instance, the numerator and denominator can be divided by 4, its most common denominator. You will get a conclusive answer 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
This process will need an extra step when you add or subtract fractions with dissimilar denominators. To do this function with two or more fractions, they must have the identical denominator.
The Steps to Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
As we have said above, to add unlike fractions, you must follow all three steps mentioned above to convert these unlike denominators into equivalent fractions
Examples of How to Add Fractions with Unlike Denominators
Here, we will focus on another example by adding the following fractions:
1/6+2/3+6/4
As shown, the denominators are different, and the lowest common multiple is 12. Hence, we multiply each 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
Now that all the fractions have a common denominator, we will go forward to add the numerators:
2/12 + 8/12 + 18/12 = 28/12
We simplify the fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by 4, finding a final result of 7/3.
Adding Mixed Numbers
We have talked about like and unlike fractions, but presently we will go through mixed fractions. These are fractions followed by whole numbers.
The Steps to Adding Mixed Numbers
To work out addition exercises with mixed numbers, you must start by changing 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 go ahead by summing these unlike fractions as you usually would.
Examples of How to Add Mixed Numbers
As an example, we will solve 1 3/4 + 5/4.
Foremost, let’s convert the mixed number into a fraction. You will need 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 be left with this operation:
7/4 + 5/4
By adding the numerators with the same denominator, we will have a ultimate result of 12/4. We simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator and denominator by 4, resulting in 3 as a conclusive result.
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