How to Add Fractions: Examples and Steps
Adding fractions is a usual math application that students study in school. It can seem intimidating initially, but it becomes simple with a tiny bit of practice.
This blog post will walk you through the steps of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will also give examples to see how this is done. Adding fractions is essential for a lot of subjects as you progress in math and science, so make sure to learn these skills early!
The Procedures for Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is an ability that numerous children have a problem with. Despite that, it is a somewhat simple process once you understand the basic principles. There are three main steps to adding fractions: looking for a common denominator, adding the numerators, and streamlining the answer. Let’s closely study each of these steps, and then we’ll work on some examples.
Step 1: Finding a Common Denominator
With these valuable tips, you’ll be adding fractions like a professional in an instant! The first step is to look for a common denominator for the two fractions you are adding. The smallest common denominator is the lowest number that both fractions will divide equally.
If the fractions you desire 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 each number as far as you determine a common one.
For example, let’s say we wish to add the fractions 1/3 and 1/6. The smallest common denominator for these two fractions is six because both denominators will split uniformly into that number.
Here’s a quick tip: if you are uncertain about 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 have the common denominator, the immediate step is to change 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 identical number necessary to achieve 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 get 2/6, while 1/6 will stay the same.
Considering that both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators simultaneously to get 3/6, a proper fraction that we will proceed to simplify.
Step Three: Streamlining the Answers
The last step is to simplify the fraction. As a result, it means we need to diminish the fraction to its minimum 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 result 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 using the process shown above, you will notice that they share identical denominators. Lucky you, this means you can skip the first step. 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 try to simplify the fraction. We can notice that this is an improper fraction, as the numerator is greater 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 example, 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 two.
Considering you go by these steps when dividing two or more fractions, you’ll be a expert at adding fractions in a matter of time.
Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
The procedure will need an extra step when you add or subtract fractions with different 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 steps stated 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 demonstrated, the denominators are dissimilar, and the lowest 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 move ahead to add the numerators:
2/12 + 8/12 + 18/12 = 28/12
We simplify the fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by 4, finding a ultimate result of 7/3.
Adding Mixed Numbers
We have talked about 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 problems with mixed numbers, you must start by changing 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 proceed 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 change the mixed number into a fraction. You are required 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 conclude with this operation:
7/4 + 5/4
By summing the numerators with the exact denominator, we will have a final result of 12/4. We simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator and denominator by 4, ensuing in 3 as a conclusive answer.
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