How to Add Fractions: Steps and Examples
Adding fractions is a usual math application that kids study in school. It can look intimidating at first, but it turns simple with a bit of practice.
This blog article will guide the steps of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will ,on top of that, provide examples to demonstrate what must be done. Adding fractions is necessary for several subjects as you move ahead in science and math, so make sure to master these skills early!
The Process of Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is an ability that many students struggle with. Nevertheless, it is a relatively hassle-free process once you understand the essential principles. There are three primary steps to adding fractions: finding a common denominator, adding the numerators, and simplifying the results. Let’s carefully analyze each of these steps, and then we’ll work on some examples.
Step 1: Look for a Common Denominator
With these useful tips, you’ll be adding fractions like a professional 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 lowest number that both fractions will split equally.
If the fractions you desire to add share the same denominator, you can skip this step. If not, to find the common denominator, you can list out the factors of respective number as far as you look for 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 because both denominators will divide equally into that number.
Here’s a good 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 next step is to convert each fraction so that it has that denominator.
To turn these into an equivalent fraction with an identical denominator, you will multiply both the denominator and numerator by the identical number needed to achieve the common denominator.
Subsequently the prior 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 would 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 be moving forward to simplify.
Step Three: Simplifying the Results
The final process is to simplify the fraction. Doing so means we are required to reduce 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 ultimate answer 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 observe that they share identical denominators. Lucky for you, this means you can skip the initial step. Now, all you have to do is add 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 greater than the denominator. This might indicate that you can simplify the fraction, but this is not possible when we deal with proper and improper fractions.
In this instance, 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 two.
Considering you follow these steps 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 require an additional step when you add or subtract fractions with different denominators. To do these operations with two or more fractions, they must have the exact denominator.
The Steps to Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
As we have said 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
Here, we will put more emphasis on another example by summing up the following fractions:
1/6+2/3+6/4
As shown, the denominators are different, and the lowest common multiple is 12. Thus, we multiply each fraction by a number 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 move ahead to total 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 presently we will touch upon mixed fractions. These are fractions followed 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 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 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 out 1 3/4 + 5/4.
Foremost, let’s change 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 be left with this operation:
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 answer.
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