How to Add Fractions: Examples and Steps
Adding fractions is a common math application that children learn in school. It can seem daunting initially, but it turns simple with a tiny bit of practice.
This blog article will walk you through the procedure of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will then provide examples to demonstrate how it is done. Adding fractions is necessary for a lot of subjects as you move ahead in mathematics and science, so be sure to master these skills early!
The Steps of Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is an ability that a lot of kids have difficulty with. However, it is a relatively hassle-free process once you grasp the fundamental principles. There are three main steps to adding fractions: looking for a common denominator, adding the numerators, and streamlining the answer. Let’s take a closer look at every one of these steps, and then we’ll do some examples.
Step 1: Look for a Common Denominator
With these helpful points, you’ll be adding fractions like a professional in no time! The initial step is to find 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 desire to add share the identical denominator, you can skip this step. If not, to determine the common denominator, you can list out the factors of respective number until you determine a common one.
For example, let’s say we wish 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 uniformly into that number.
Here’s a great 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
Now that you acquired the common denominator, the immediate step is to convert each fraction so that it has that denominator.
To turn these into an equivalent fraction with the exact denominator, you will multiply both the denominator and numerator by the exact number necessary to attain the common denominator.
Following the prior example, six will become the common denominator. To change the numerators, we will multiply 1/3 by 2 to achieve 2/6, while 1/6 will remain the same.
Since both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators collectively to get 3/6, a proper fraction that we will proceed to simplify.
Step Three: Streamlining the Answers
The last process is to simplify the fraction. Consequently, it means we need to lower the fraction to its minimum terms. To obtain 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 final answer of 1/2.
You go by the same 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 applying the process shown above, you will see that they share identical denominators. Lucky 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 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 larger than the denominator. This might suggest that you can simplify the fraction, but this is not possible when we deal 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 final result of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by two.
Provided that you follow these steps when dividing two or more fractions, you’ll be a expert at adding fractions in matter of days.
Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
This process will need an additional step when you add or subtract fractions with distinct 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 mentioned above, to add unlike fractions, you must obey all three procedures stated prior to change 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 summing up the following fractions:
1/6+2/3+6/4
As you can see, the denominators are dissimilar, and the least common multiple is 12. Hence, we multiply each fraction by a value 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 go forward to add the numerators:
2/12 + 8/12 + 18/12 = 28/12
We simplify the fraction by splitting the numerator and denominator by 4, coming to the ultimate 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 accompanied by whole numbers.
The Steps to Adding Mixed Numbers
To solve addition exercises with mixed numbers, you must start 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
Take down your answer as a numerator and retain the denominator.
Now, you go ahead 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 transform 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 operation:
7/4 + 5/4
By summing the numerators with the similar denominator, we will have a final 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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