How to Add Fractions: Steps and Examples

Adding fractions is a common math application that kids learn in school. It can look scary initially, but it becomes 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, provide examples to show what must be done. Adding fractions is necessary for several subjects as you progress in science and math, so make sure to master these skills initially!

The Steps of Adding Fractions

Adding fractions is a skill that numerous students have a problem with. Despite that, it is a somewhat simple process once you grasp the fundamental principles. There are three major steps to adding fractions: finding 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 look into some examples.

Step 1: Determining a Common Denominator

With these valuable tips, you’ll be adding fractions like a pro in no time! The first step is to look for a common denominator for the two fractions you are adding. The smallest common denominator is the lowest number that both fractions will split equally.

If the fractions you want to sum share the identical denominator, you can skip this step. If not, to look for the common denominator, you can determine the number of the factors of each number as far as you determine 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 uniformly into that number.

Here’s a great tip: if you are uncertain regarding this step, 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 immediate step is to turn 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 exact number needed to get the common denominator.

Subsequently the previous 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 stay the same.

Considering that both the fractions share common denominators, we can add the numerators together to get 3/6, a proper fraction that we will be moving forward to simplify.

Step Three: Simplifying the Answers

The last step is to simplify the fraction. As a result, it means we are required to reduce the fraction to its lowest 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 largest 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 exact steps 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 observe that they share equivalent denominators. Lucky you, this means you can avoid the first step. Now, 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 try to simplify the fraction. We can perceive 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 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 conclusive answer 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 matter of days.

Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators

This process will need 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 stated before this, to add unlike fractions, you must follow all three steps stated prior to convert 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 adding the following fractions:

1/6+2/3+6/4

As shown, 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 proceed to add 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 ultimate result of 7/3.

Adding Mixed Numbers

We have talked about like and unlike fractions, but now we will touch upon mixed fractions. These are fractions accompanied by whole numbers.

The Steps to Adding Mixed Numbers

To work out addition problems with mixed numbers, you must start by changing 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

Note 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 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 represented 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 exact 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 result.

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