How to Add Fractions: Examples and Steps
Adding fractions is a usual math application that kids learn in school. It can seem daunting initially, but it turns easy with a tiny bit of practice.
This blog post will guide the process of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will then provide examples to see what must be done. Adding fractions is necessary for a lot of subjects as you move ahead in math and science, so make sure to master these skills initially!
The Steps of Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is an ability that numerous children struggle with. However, it is a somewhat simple process once you master the basic principles. There are three main steps to adding fractions: determining a common denominator, adding the numerators, and simplifying the answer. Let’s closely study 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 professional in no time! The first 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 share uniformly.
If the fractions you desire to add share the same denominator, you can avoid this step. If not, to look for 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 desire to add the fractions 1/3 and 1/6. The smallest common denominator for these two fractions is six in view of the fact that both denominators will divide evenly into that number.
Here’s a quick 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 next 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 same number necessary to attain the common denominator.
Subsequently the last 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 will stay the same.
Now that both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators together to get 3/6, a proper fraction that we will continue to simplify.
Step Three: Simplifying the Answers
The final step is to simplify the fraction. Doing so means we are required to reduce the fraction to its minimum terms. To achieve this, we find 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 concluding result 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 notice that they share the same denominators. You are lucky, this means you can avoid the first stage. Now, all you have to do is sum of the numerators and leave 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 could indicate that you can simplify the fraction, but this is not feasible when we work 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 result of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by two.
Provided that you go by these procedures when dividing two or more fractions, you’ll be a expert at adding fractions in matter of days.
Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
The procedure will need an supplementary step when you add or subtract fractions with distinct denominators. To do these operations with two or more fractions, they must have the identical denominator.
The Steps to Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
As we have said 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
Here, we will concentrate on another example by summing up the following fractions:
1/6+2/3+6/4
As shown, the denominators are dissimilar, and the lowest common multiple is 12. Thus, we multiply each 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
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 final result of 7/3.
Adding Mixed Numbers
We have mentioned like and unlike fractions, but now we will revise through mixed fractions. These are fractions followed by whole numbers.
The Steps to Adding Mixed Numbers
To figure out addition problems with mixed numbers, you must initiate 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 result as a numerator and retain the denominator.
Now, you go ahead by adding 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.
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 end up with this result:
7/4 + 5/4
By summing the numerators with the similar 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 final answer.
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