How to Add Fractions: Examples and Steps
Adding fractions is a usual math problem that kids study in school. It can seem intimidating initially, but it can be easy with a bit of practice.
This blog article will take you through the process of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will then give examples to show how it is done. Adding fractions is crucial for a lot of subjects as you advance in science and mathematics, so make sure to master these skills initially!
The Process of Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is a skill that numerous children struggle with. Nevertheless, it is a relatively simple process once you understand the fundamental principles. There are three main steps to adding fractions: finding a common denominator, adding the numerators, and simplifying the results. Let’s take a closer look at every one of these steps, and then we’ll do some examples.
Step 1: Determining a Common Denominator
With these helpful tips, you’ll be adding fractions like a pro in a flash! 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 divide equally.
If the fractions you wish to sum share the same denominator, you can avoid this step. If not, to determine the common denominator, you can list out the factors of respective number until you look for a common one.
For example, let’s say we wish to add the fractions 1/3 and 1/6. The smallest common denominator for these two fractions is six for the reason that both denominators will split evenly into that number.
Here’s a quick tip: if you are uncertain 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 immediate step is to turn each fraction so that it has that denominator.
To convert these into an equivalent fraction with an identical denominator, you will multiply both the denominator and numerator by the identical 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 attain 2/6, while 1/6 would stay the same.
Since both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators together to attain 3/6, a proper fraction that we will proceed to simplify.
Step Three: Streamlining the Answers
The last process is to simplify the fraction. Doing so means we are required 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 biggest common factor of 3 and 6 is 3. When we divide both numbers by 3, we get the ultimate answer of 1/2.
You follow the exact steps 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 utilizing the steps above, you will observe that they share identical denominators. Lucky you, this means you can skip the initial stage. Now, all you have to do is sum of the numerators and allow it to be the same denominator as before.
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 larger than the denominator. This might indicate that you could simplify the fraction, but this is not necessarily the case 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 conclusive answer of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by 2.
Provided that you follow these steps when dividing two or more fractions, you’ll be a expert at adding fractions in no time.
Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
The procedure will need an additional step when you add or subtract fractions with dissimilar 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 mentioned above, to add unlike fractions, you must obey all three steps mentioned prior to change these unlike denominators into equivalent fractions
Examples of How to Add Fractions with Unlike Denominators
Here, we will put more emphasis on another example by adding the following fractions:
1/6+2/3+6/4
As you can see, the denominators are dissimilar, and the smallest common multiple is 12. Hence, we multiply every fraction by a value to achieve the denominator of 12.
1/6 * 2 = 2/12
2/3 * 4 = 8/12
6/4 * 3 = 18/12
Considering that all the fractions have a common denominator, we will proceed to add the numerators:
2/12 + 8/12 + 18/12 = 28/12
We simplify the fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by 4, concluding with a final answer of 7/3.
Adding Mixed Numbers
We have discussed like and unlike fractions, but presently we will touch upon mixed fractions. These are fractions accompanied 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 steps 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
Take down your result 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 solve 1 3/4 + 5/4.
Foremost, let’s change 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 conclude with this result:
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, ensuing in 3 as a final answer.
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