How to Add Fractions: Examples and Steps
Adding fractions is a usual math application that kids study in school. It can appear daunting at first, but it can be easy with a bit of practice.
This blog post will walk you through the process of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will ,on top of that, provide examples to see how it is done. Adding fractions is necessary for a lot of subjects as you move ahead in math and science, so be sure to master these skills initially!
The Process of Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is an ability that numerous children struggle with. However, it is a moderately easy process once you master the basic principles. There are three main steps to adding fractions: looking for a common denominator, adding the numerators, and streamlining the results. Let’s take a closer look at each of these steps, and then we’ll do some examples.
Step 1: Finding a Common Denominator
With these helpful points, you’ll be adding fractions like a pro in no time! The initial step is to find a common denominator for the two fractions you are adding. The smallest common denominator is the minimum number that both fractions will divide uniformly.
If the fractions you wish to add share the same denominator, you can skip this step. If not, to look for the common denominator, you can determine the number of the factors of respective number until you find a common one.
For example, let’s say we desire to add the fractions 1/3 and 1/6. The lowest common denominator for these two fractions is six in view of the fact that both denominators will split uniformly 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 should be 18.
Step Two: Adding the Numerators
Now that you acquired the common denominator, the immediate step is to turn 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 same number required to get the common denominator.
Subsequently the last 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 stay the same.
Considering that both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators together to achieve 3/6, a proper fraction that we will continue to simplify.
Step Three: Streamlining the Results
The last process is to simplify the fraction. Doing so means we are required to lower the fraction to its lowest 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 largest common factor of 3 and 6 is 3. When we divide both numbers by 3, we get the ultimate result of 1/2.
You follow the same procedure to add and subtract fractions.
Examples of How to Add Fractions
Now, let’s continue to add these two fractions:
2/4 + 6/4
By utilizing the procedures mentioned above, you will see that they share identical denominators. Lucky you, this means you can skip the initial stage. At the moment, 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 attempt to simplify the fraction. We can notice that this is an improper fraction, as the numerator is greater than the denominator. This might suggest 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 ultimate answer of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by 2.
Provided that you follow these steps when dividing two or more fractions, you’ll be a professional at adding fractions in matter of days.
Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
The procedure will require an additional 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 before this, to add unlike fractions, you must obey all three procedures mentioned prior to convert 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 you can see, the denominators are dissimilar, and the lowest common multiple is 12. Hence, we multiply each fraction by a value to get the denominator of 12.
1/6 * 2 = 2/12
2/3 * 4 = 8/12
6/4 * 3 = 18/12
Once 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, concluding with a final answer of 7/3.
Adding Mixed Numbers
We have mentioned like and unlike fractions, but presently we will go through 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 initiate by turning 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
Take down your result as a numerator and retain the denominator.
Now, you go ahead by summing these unlike fractions as you generally would.
Examples of How to Add Mixed Numbers
As an example, we will work out 1 3/4 + 5/4.
Foremost, 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
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 end up 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 conclusive answer.
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