How to Add Fractions: Examples and Steps
Adding fractions is a usual math problem that students study in school. It can seem daunting initially, but it can be easy with a shred of practice.
This blog post will take you through the steps of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will then provide examples to show how this is done. Adding fractions is necessary for several subjects as you move ahead in math and science, so ensure to master these skills initially!
The Procedures for Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is a skill that numerous kids struggle with. Nevertheless, it is a somewhat easy process once you master the essential principles. There are three primary steps to adding fractions: looking for a common denominator, adding the numerators, and streamlining the results. Let’s closely study every one of these steps, and then we’ll look into some examples.
Step 1: Finding a Common Denominator
With these useful points, you’ll be adding fractions like a pro in an instant! The first step is to find a common denominator for the two fractions you are adding. The smallest common denominator is the lowest number that both fractions will split equally.
If the fractions you wish to sum share the identical denominator, you can skip this step. If not, to find the common denominator, you can list out the factors of each number until you find a common one.
For example, let’s assume we want 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 evenly 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 should be 18.
Step Two: Adding the Numerators
Once you possess the common denominator, the following step is to change each fraction so that it has that denominator.
To convert these into an equivalent fraction with the same denominator, you will multiply both the denominator and numerator by the identical number necessary to attain the common denominator.
Following the prior example, 6 will become the common denominator. To change the numerators, we will multiply 1/3 by 2 to achieve 2/6, while 1/6 would remain the same.
Considering 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 Results
The final step is to simplify the fraction. As a result, it means we are required to reduce the fraction to its lowest terms. To obtain 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 answer of 1/2.
You follow the exact 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 applying the steps above, you will notice that they share equivalent denominators. Lucky you, this means you can skip the initial step. At the moment, all you have to do is add the numerators and allow it to be the same denominator as it was.
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 greater than the denominator. This may indicate that you could simplify the fraction, but this is not necessarily the case 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 conclusive answer of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by two.
As long as 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 supplementary step when you add or subtract fractions with distinct 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 have said prior to this, to add unlike fractions, you must obey all three procedures stated above to change these unlike denominators into equivalent fractions
Examples of How to Add Fractions with Unlike Denominators
Here, we will put more emphasis on another example by adding the following fractions:
1/6+2/3+6/4
As you can see, the denominators are different, and the lowest common multiple is 12. Therefore, 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
Now 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 splitting 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 presently we will touch upon mixed fractions. These are fractions followed by whole numbers.
The Steps to Adding Mixed Numbers
To figure out addition exercises with mixed numbers, you must start by changing 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 proceed by adding these unlike fractions as you generally would.
Examples of How to Add Mixed Numbers
As an example, we will work with 1 3/4 + 5/4.
First, 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
Thereafter, add the whole number represented 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 adding the numerators with the similar 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.
Use Grade Potential to Better Your Mathematics Skills Now
If you're having problems understanding adding fractions, contemplate signing up for a tutoring session with Grade Potential. One of our experienced teachers can help you learn the material and ace your next test.
