How to Add Fractions: Steps and Examples
Adding fractions is a common math operation that children study in school. It can appear daunting initially, but it becomes easy with a bit of practice.
This blog article will guide the steps of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will then give examples to demonstrate how this is done. Adding fractions is crucial for a lot of subjects as you advance in science and math, so be sure to adopt these skills initially!
The Steps of Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is a skill that many kids have a problem with. Nevertheless, it is a relatively hassle-free process once you understand the basic principles. There are three major steps to adding fractions: looking for 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 useful tips, you’ll be adding fractions like a pro in an instant! The first step is to determine a common denominator for the two fractions you are adding. The least common denominator is the minimum number that both fractions will share evenly.
If the fractions you wish to add share the equal denominator, you can avoid this step. If not, to determine the common denominator, you can determine the amount of the factors of each number until you look for a common one.
For example, let’s say we want to add the fractions 1/3 and 1/6. The lowest common denominator for these two fractions is six in view of the fact that both denominators will divide equally into that number.
Here’s a good tip: if you are not sure regarding 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 have 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 same number needed to attain the common denominator.
Following the prior 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 stay the same.
Considering that both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators simultaneously to attain 3/6, a proper fraction that we will proceed to simplify.
Step Three: Streamlining the Results
The final process is to simplify the fraction. Doing so means we need to diminish 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 largest common factor of 3 and 6 is 3. When we divide both numbers by 3, we get the ultimate result of 1/2.
You go by 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 procedures mentioned above, you will notice that they share the same denominators. Lucky for you, this means you can avoid the initial stage. 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 attempt to simplify the fraction. We can see that this is an improper fraction, as the numerator is higher than the denominator. This might suggest that you can 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 result of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by 2.
Considering you go by these procedures 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 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 exact 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 mentioned above 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 adding the following fractions:
1/6+2/3+6/4
As demonstrated, the denominators are different, and the smallest common multiple is 12. Hence, we multiply every fraction by a number 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 talked about 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 work out addition sums with mixed numbers, you must initiate 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
Write down your result as a numerator and keep the denominator.
Now, you move forward 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 transform 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 described 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 summing the numerators with the exact denominator, we will have a final answer of 12/4. We simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator and denominator by 4, resulting in 3 as a final result.
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