How to Add Fractions: Steps and Examples
Adding fractions is a usual math problem that kids study in school. It can appear intimidating initially, but it can be easy with a tiny bit 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 see how it is done. Adding fractions is crucial for several subjects as you advance in mathematics and science, so make sure to master these skills initially!
The Process of Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is an ability that numerous kids have a problem with. Nevertheless, it is a moderately hassle-free process once you master the fundamental principles. There are three main 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 do some examples.
Step 1: Finding a Common Denominator
With these useful tips, you’ll be adding fractions like a professional in a flash! 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 evenly.
If the fractions you want to add share the equal denominator, you can avoid this step. If not, to determine the common denominator, you can determine the amount of the factors of each number as far as you find a common one.
For example, let’s say we desire to add the fractions 1/3 and 1/6. The smallest common denominator for these two fractions is six in view of the fact that both denominators will divide evenly into that number.
Here’s a quick tip: if you are not sure about 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
Once you acquired the common denominator, the next step is to change 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 attain the common denominator.
Subsequently the prior example, six will become the common denominator. To change the numerators, we will multiply 1/3 by 2 to attain 2/6, while 1/6 will remain the same.
Since both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators together to get 3/6, a proper fraction that we will continue to simplify.
Step Three: Simplifying the Answers
The final process is to simplify the fraction. Consequently, it means we need to lower the fraction to its minimum terms. To achieve this, we look 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 result 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 using the steps above, you will notice that they share identical denominators. Lucky for you, this means you can avoid 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 notice that this is an improper fraction, as the numerator is larger than the denominator. This may indicate 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 final result of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by two.
Provided that you follow 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
This process will need an additional step when you add or subtract fractions with dissimilar denominators. To do these operations with two or more fractions, they must have the same denominator.
The Steps to Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
As we mentioned prior to this, to add unlike fractions, you must follow all three steps stated above to change these unlike denominators into equivalent fractions
Examples of How to Add Fractions with Unlike Denominators
Here, we will focus on another example by adding the following fractions:
1/6+2/3+6/4
As you can see, the denominators are different, and the least common multiple is 12. Thus, 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
Once all the fractions have a common denominator, we will proceed to total the numerators:
2/12 + 8/12 + 18/12 = 28/12
We simplify the fraction by splitting the numerator and denominator by 4, finding a ultimate answer of 7/3.
Adding Mixed Numbers
We have discussed like and unlike fractions, but presently we will go through mixed fractions. These are fractions accompanied by whole numbers.
The Steps to Adding Mixed Numbers
To solve addition sums 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
Take down your result as a numerator and keep the denominator.
Now, you go ahead by adding these unlike fractions as you generally would.
Examples of How to Add Mixed Numbers
As an example, we will work with 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
Then, 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 result:
7/4 + 5/4
By summing the numerators with the exact denominator, we will have a ultimate 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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