How to Add Fractions: Examples and Steps
Adding fractions is a usual math operation that children study in school. It can look daunting at first, but it can be easy with a bit of practice.
This blog post will walk you through the procedure of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will ,on top of that, provide examples to see what must be done. Adding fractions is crucial for several subjects as you progress in mathematics and science, so make sure to learn these skills initially!
The Steps of Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is a skill that numerous students have a problem with. However, it is a somewhat hassle-free process once you master the basic principles. There are three main steps to adding fractions: finding a common denominator, adding the numerators, and simplifying the results. Let’s closely study every one of these steps, and then we’ll work on some examples.
Step 1: Finding a Common Denominator
With these useful points, you’ll be adding fractions like a expert in no time! The first step is to determine a common denominator for the two fractions you are adding. The smallest 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 skip this step. If not, to look for 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 assume 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 not sure regarding 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 possess 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 identical number necessary to achieve the common denominator.
Following the previous example, six will become the common denominator. To change the numerators, we will multiply 1/3 by 2 to achieve 2/6, while 1/6 will remain the same.
Now that both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators collectively to attain 3/6, a proper fraction that we will continue to simplify.
Step Three: Streamlining the Answers
The last step is to simplify the fraction. Doing so means we are required to lower the fraction to its minimum terms. To achieve 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 concluding answer of 1/2.
You follow the exact process 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 procedures mentioned above, you will notice that they share equivalent denominators. You are lucky, this means you can skip the first step. 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 see that this is an improper fraction, as the numerator is greater than the denominator. This could suggest 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 answer of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by 2.
Considering you go by these steps when dividing two or more fractions, you’ll be a pro at adding fractions in matter of days.
Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
The procedure will need an supplementary 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 have said before this, to add unlike fractions, you must obey all three steps mentioned above 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 you can see, the denominators are distinct, and the least common multiple is 12. Hence, we multiply every fraction by a value to attain 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 total 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 ultimate result of 7/3.
Adding Mixed Numbers
We have discussed like and unlike fractions, but presently we will revise through mixed fractions. These are fractions followed by whole numbers.
The Steps to Adding Mixed Numbers
To work out addition exercises with mixed numbers, you must start 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
Note down your result as a numerator and retain the denominator.
Now, you go ahead by adding 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.
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
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 summing the numerators with the similar denominator, we will have a conclusive answer of 12/4. We simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator and denominator by 4, ensuing in 3 as a final answer.
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