How to Add Fractions: Steps and Examples

Adding fractions is a usual math application that kids study in school. It can look scary initially, but it can be simple with a tiny 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, give examples to see how it is done. Adding fractions is necessary for several subjects as you advance in science and mathematics, so ensure to adopt these skills initially!

The Steps of Adding Fractions

Adding fractions is an ability that many kids have a problem with. Despite that, it is a relatively hassle-free process once you master the essential principles. There are three major steps to adding fractions: determining a common denominator, adding the numerators, and simplifying the results. Let’s closely study every one of these steps, and then we’ll do some examples.

Step 1: Look for a Common Denominator

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

If the fractions you wish to add share the equal denominator, you can avoid this step. If not, to find the common denominator, you can determine the amount 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 divide 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 would be 18.

Step Two: Adding the Numerators

Once you have 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 exact number needed to attain the common denominator.

Subsequently the prior example, 6 will become the common denominator. To convert the numerators, we will multiply 1/3 by 2 to achieve 2/6, while 1/6 will 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: Simplifying the Answers

The final step is to simplify the fraction. Doing so means we are required 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 largest common factor of 3 and 6 is 3. When we divide both numbers by 3, we get the concluding result of 1/2.

You go by the exact procedure 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 using the process shown above, you will notice that they share equivalent denominators. Lucky you, this means you can skip the first stage. Now, all you have to do is add the numerators and let it be the same denominator as before.

2/4 + 6/4 = 8/4

Now, let’s attempt to simplify the fraction. We can see that this is an improper fraction, as the numerator is higher than the denominator. This could 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 conclusive result of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by two.

As long as you go by these procedures when dividing two or more fractions, you’ll be a expert at adding fractions in no time.

Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators

The procedure will need an additional step when you add or subtract fractions with different denominators. To do these operations with two or more fractions, they must have the identical denominator.

The Steps to Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators

As we have said before this, to add unlike fractions, you must follow all three steps mentioned prior to change these unlike denominators into equivalent fractions

Examples of How to Add Fractions with Unlike Denominators

At this point, we will put more emphasis on another example by adding the following fractions:

1/6+2/3+6/4

As you can see, the denominators are distinct, and the smallest common multiple is 12. Thus, 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

Now 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, coming to the ultimate answer of 7/3.

Adding Mixed Numbers

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

The Steps to Adding Mixed Numbers

To solve addition exercises with mixed numbers, you must initiate 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

Note down your result as a numerator and keep the denominator.

Now, you go ahead by summing these unlike fractions as you normally would.

Examples of How to Add Mixed Numbers

As an example, we will solve 1 3/4 + 5/4.

First, 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

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 summing the numerators with the similar 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 answer.

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