How to Add Fractions: Steps and Examples
Adding fractions is a common math application that students study in school. It can look intimidating initially, but it becomes simple with a bit of practice.
This blog post will guide the procedure of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will ,on top of that, give examples to show how this is done. Adding fractions is essential for a lot of subjects as you progress in mathematics and science, so ensure to master these skills early!
The Steps of Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is an ability that numerous kids have difficulty with. However, it is a somewhat easy process once you grasp the basic principles. There are three major steps to adding fractions: determining a common denominator, adding the numerators, and simplifying the results. Let’s closely study each of these steps, and then we’ll work on some examples.
Step 1: Look for a Common Denominator
With these helpful tips, you’ll be adding fractions like a expert in an instant! The initial step is to look for a common denominator for the two fractions you are adding. The smallest common denominator is the minimum number that both fractions will share equally.
If the fractions you wish to sum share the same denominator, you can avoid this step. If not, to determine the common denominator, you can determine the number of the factors of each number until you find 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 split evenly into that number.
Here’s a good tip: if you are unsure about 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 have the common denominator, the next step is to change each fraction so that it has that denominator.
To convert these into an equivalent fraction with the exact denominator, you will multiply both the denominator and numerator by the same number necessary to attain the common denominator.
Following the previous example, 6 will become the common denominator. To change the numerators, we will multiply 1/3 by 2 to get 2/6, while 1/6 would stay the same.
Now that both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators together to get 3/6, a proper fraction that we will proceed to simplify.
Step Three: Simplifying the Answers
The final process is to simplify the fraction. Doing so means we are required to lower the fraction to its minimum terms. To accomplish this, we search for 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 follow the same process 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 applying the process shown above, you will notice that they share identical denominators. You are lucky, this means you can avoid the first step. Now, all you have to do is sum of the numerators and let it 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 may indicate that you could 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 final result of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by two.
As long as you go by these steps when dividing two or more fractions, you’ll be a expert at adding fractions in a matter of time.
Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
This process will need an extra step when you add or subtract fractions with dissimilar 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 stated prior to this, to add unlike fractions, you must follow all three procedures mentioned prior to transform these unlike denominators into equivalent fractions
Examples of How to Add Fractions with Unlike Denominators
At this point, we will focus on another example by summing up the following fractions:
1/6+2/3+6/4
As you can see, the denominators are distinct, and the smallest common multiple is 12. Therefore, we multiply every fraction by a number 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 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, coming to the ultimate answer of 7/3.
Adding Mixed Numbers
We have discussed like and unlike fractions, but now we will revise through mixed fractions. These are fractions followed by whole numbers.
The Steps to Adding Mixed Numbers
To figure out addition problems with mixed numbers, you must initiate by converting 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
Write down your result as a numerator and retain 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 are required 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 result:
7/4 + 5/4
By summing 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, ensuing in 3 as a final answer.
Use Grade Potential to Better Your Math Skills Today
If you're having problems understanding adding fractions, contemplate signing up for a tutoring session with Grade Potential. One of our experienced tutors can assist you understand the topic and ace your next exam.
