How to Add Fractions: Steps and Examples
Adding fractions is a regular math operation that students study in school. It can seem daunting at first, but it can be simple with a tiny bit of practice.
This blog article will take you through the steps of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will also provide examples to demonstrate what must be done. Adding fractions is necessary for several subjects as you move ahead in math and science, so make sure to learn these skills early!
The Procedures for Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is an ability that numerous children have difficulty with. Nevertheless, it is a somewhat easy process once you grasp the basic principles. There are three major steps to adding fractions: determining a common denominator, adding the numerators, and simplifying the results. Let’s closely study each of these steps, and then we’ll do 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 look for a common denominator for the two fractions you are adding. The smallest common denominator is the minimum number that both fractions will split evenly.
If the fractions you wish to add share the equal denominator, you can skip this step. If not, to determine the common denominator, you can list out the factors of respective number until you find a common one.
For example, let’s assume we desire 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 equally 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 should be 18.
Step Two: Adding the Numerators
Now that you acquired the common denominator, the next step is to turn each fraction so that it has that denominator.
To change these into an equivalent fraction with the same denominator, you will multiply both the denominator and numerator by the exact number required to attain 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 attain 2/6, while 1/6 would stay the same.
Since both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators simultaneously to attain 3/6, a proper fraction that we will be moving forward to simplify.
Step Three: Streamlining the Results
The final step is to simplify the fraction. Doing so means we need to lower the fraction to its minimum 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 biggest common factor of 3 and 6 is 3. When we divide both numbers by 3, we get the concluding answer of 1/2.
You go by the exact steps to add and subtract fractions.
Examples of How to Add Fractions
Now, let’s proceed to add these two fractions:
2/4 + 6/4
By utilizing the steps above, you will observe that they share the same denominators. Lucky you, this means you can avoid the first step. At the moment, 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 perceive that this is an improper fraction, as the numerator is larger 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 ultimate answer of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by two.
Provided that you follow these procedures when dividing two or more fractions, you’ll be a pro at adding fractions in a matter of time.
Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
The procedure will require an supplementary 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 stated prior to this, to add unlike fractions, you must follow all three steps stated above to change these unlike denominators into equivalent fractions
Examples of How to Add Fractions with Unlike Denominators
At this point, we will put more emphasis on another example by adding the following fractions:
1/6+2/3+6/4
As demonstrated, the denominators are distinct, and the lowest common multiple is 12. Hence, 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 proceed to total the numerators:
2/12 + 8/12 + 18/12 = 28/12
We simplify the fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by 4, finding a ultimate answer 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 accompanied by whole numbers.
The Steps to Adding Mixed Numbers
To work out addition problems with mixed numbers, you must start by converting 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
Note down your result as a numerator and retain the denominator.
Now, you move forward by summing these unlike fractions as you generally would.
Examples of How to Add Mixed Numbers
As an example, we will solve 1 3/4 + 5/4.
First, 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
Next, add the whole number described as a fraction to the other fraction in the mixed number.
4/4 + 3/4 = 7/4
You will conclude with this operation:
7/4 + 5/4
By summing the numerators with the similar denominator, we will have a conclusive result of 12/4. We simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator and denominator by 4, ensuing in 3 as a final result.
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