How to Add Fractions: Examples and Steps
Adding fractions is a common math operation that kids learn in school. It can seem daunting initially, but it turns simple 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 then provide examples to see how it is done. Adding fractions is essential for a lot of subjects as you move ahead in science and math, so make sure to adopt these skills initially!
The Procedures for Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is a skill that numerous kids struggle with. Nevertheless, it is a moderately easy process once you understand the fundamental principles. There are three primary steps to adding fractions: looking for a common denominator, adding the numerators, and streamlining the answer. Let’s closely study each of these steps, and then we’ll look into some examples.
Step 1: Finding a Common Denominator
With these useful points, you’ll be adding fractions like a pro in an instant! The initial 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 share evenly.
If the fractions you want to add share the same denominator, you can skip this step. If not, to determine the common denominator, you can list out the factors of each number until you determine 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 in view of the fact that both denominators will split equally into that number.
Here’s a good tip: if you are uncertain 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
Now that you acquired the common denominator, the immediate 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 same number needed to attain the common denominator.
Subsequently the last example, six will become the common denominator. To convert the numerators, we will multiply 1/3 by 2 to attain 2/6, while 1/6 would stay the same.
Since both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators together to achieve 3/6, a proper fraction that we will proceed to simplify.
Step Three: Simplifying the Results
The last step is to simplify the fraction. Doing so means we need 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 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 go by the exact steps to add and subtract fractions.
Examples of How to Add Fractions
Now, let’s proceed to add these two fractions:
2/4 + 6/4
By applying the steps above, you will see that they share the same denominators. Lucky for you, this means you can avoid the first 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 try to simplify the fraction. We can see that this is an improper fraction, as the numerator is greater than the denominator. This could 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 ultimate answer of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by two.
Considering you go by these steps when dividing two or more fractions, you’ll be a professional at adding fractions in no time.
Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
This process will need an supplementary step when you add or subtract fractions with distinct denominators. To do this function with two or more fractions, they must have the identical denominator.
The Steps to Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
As we mentioned before this, to add unlike fractions, you must obey all three procedures mentioned above 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 demonstrated, the denominators are distinct, and the least common multiple is 12. Therefore, we multiply every 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 proceed to add the numerators:
2/12 + 8/12 + 18/12 = 28/12
We simplify the fraction by splitting the numerator and denominator by 4, coming to the ultimate result of 7/3.
Adding Mixed Numbers
We have mentioned 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 work out addition sums 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 keep the denominator.
Now, you go ahead by adding these unlike fractions as you normally would.
Examples of How to Add Mixed Numbers
As an example, we will work with 1 3/4 + 5/4.
First, 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 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, ensuing in 3 as a final answer.
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