How to Add Fractions: Steps and Examples
Adding fractions is a common math operation that children study in school. It can appear daunting at first, but it turns easy with a shred of practice.
This blog post will take you through the process of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will ,on top of that, give examples to show what must be done. Adding fractions is crucial for various subjects as you progress in mathematics and science, so ensure to learn these skills early!
The Process of Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is a skill that many kids struggle with. Nevertheless, it is a relatively simple process once you master the essential principles. There are three primary steps to adding fractions: finding a common denominator, adding the numerators, and streamlining the answer. Let’s take a closer look at each of these steps, and then we’ll look into some examples.
Step 1: Finding a Common Denominator
With these valuable tips, you’ll be adding fractions like a professional in a flash! 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 evenly.
If the fractions you wish to add share the equal denominator, you can avoid this step. If not, to find the common denominator, you can determine the number of the factors of respective number as far as you determine a common one.
For example, let’s assume we desire 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 evenly into that number.
Here’s a quick tip: if you are unsure 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
Once you acquired the common denominator, the following step is to turn 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 identical number required to achieve the common denominator.
Subsequently the last example, six will become the common denominator. To change the numerators, we will multiply 1/3 by 2 to attain 2/6, while 1/6 will remain the same.
Considering that both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators together to achieve 3/6, a proper fraction that we will proceed to simplify.
Step Three: Streamlining the Answers
The final process is to simplify the fraction. Consequently, it means we need to lower 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 greatest common factor of 3 and 6 is 3. When we divide both numbers by 3, we get the final result of 1/2.
You follow the same procedure 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 using the process shown above, you will see that they share the same denominators. Lucky for 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 attempt to simplify the fraction. We can perceive that this is an improper fraction, as the numerator is higher than the denominator. This might suggest that you could 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 ultimate answer of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by 2.
As long as you go by these steps 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 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 stated above, to add unlike fractions, you must follow all three procedures mentioned prior to change these unlike denominators into equivalent fractions
Examples of How to Add Fractions with Unlike Denominators
At this point, we will concentrate on another example by adding the following fractions:
1/6+2/3+6/4
As shown, the denominators are dissimilar, and the smallest common multiple is 12. Hence, we multiply every fraction by a value to get 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 go forward to add the numerators:
2/12 + 8/12 + 18/12 = 28/12
We simplify the fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by 4, coming to the final answer 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 figure out addition problems with mixed numbers, you must initiate by turning 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
Write down your answer as a numerator and retain the denominator.
Now, you move forward by summing these unlike fractions as you normally would.
Examples of How to Add Mixed Numbers
As an example, we will work with 1 3/4 + 5/4.
First, let’s convert 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 end up with this operation:
7/4 + 5/4
By adding the numerators with the exact denominator, we will have a conclusive 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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