How to Add Fractions: Examples and Steps
Adding fractions is a usual math problem that students learn in school. It can appear intimidating initially, but it becomes simple with a shred of practice.
This blog post will guide the process of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will ,on top of that, give examples to demonstrate how it is done. Adding fractions is necessary for various subjects as you move ahead in math and science, so make sure to master these skills initially!
The Process of Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is an ability that a lot of kids have a problem with. Nevertheless, it is a somewhat simple process once you grasp the basic principles. There are three primary steps to adding fractions: looking for a common denominator, adding the numerators, and streamlining the results. Let’s carefully analyze each of these steps, and then we’ll work on some examples.
Step 1: Determining a Common Denominator
With these useful tips, 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 least common denominator is the minimum number that both fractions will split equally.
If the fractions you wish to sum share the identical denominator, you can avoid this step. If not, to look for the common denominator, you can determine the amount of the factors of respective number until you find a common one.
For example, let’s assume we wish to add the fractions 1/3 and 1/6. The lowest common denominator for these two fractions is six for the reason that both denominators will split equally into that number.
Here’s a good tip: if you are not sure about this step, 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 have 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 same denominator, you will multiply both the denominator and numerator by the same number needed 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 will stay the same.
Since both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators together to attain 3/6, a proper fraction that we will proceed to simplify.
Step Three: Simplifying the Answers
The final process is to simplify the fraction. Doing so means we are required to diminish the fraction to its minimum terms. To accomplish this, we search 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 ultimate result of 1/2.
You go by the exact steps 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 steps above, you will see that they share identical denominators. Lucky you, this means you can avoid the initial stage. Now, 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 notice that this is an improper fraction, as the numerator is larger than the denominator. This could suggest that you can 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 final answer of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by two.
Considering you go by these procedures when dividing two or more fractions, you’ll be a pro at adding fractions in no time.
Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
This process will need an additional step when you add or subtract fractions with different 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 stated above, to add unlike fractions, you must obey all three procedures mentioned above to transform 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 smallest common multiple is 12. Thus, we multiply each 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
Since 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, concluding with a final 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 followed by whole numbers.
The Steps to Adding Mixed Numbers
To figure out addition problems with mixed numbers, you must initiate 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
Take down your result as a numerator and retain the denominator.
Now, you move forward by summing these unlike fractions as you usually would.
Examples of How to Add Mixed Numbers
As an example, we will work out 1 3/4 + 5/4.
First, let’s convert 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 described as a fraction to the other fraction in the mixed number.
4/4 + 3/4 = 7/4
You will be left with this operation:
7/4 + 5/4
By adding the numerators with the same denominator, we will have a ultimate 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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