How to Add Fractions: Examples and Steps

Adding fractions is a usual math application that children study in school. It can seem intimidating at first, but it can be easy with a bit of practice.

This blog post will take you through the process of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will ,on top of that, give examples to demonstrate how this is done. Adding fractions is necessary for various subjects as you advance in math and science, so ensure to learn these skills initially!

The Process of Adding Fractions

Adding fractions is a skill that a lot of children have difficulty with. Despite that, it is a relatively easy process once you grasp the essential principles. There are three main steps to adding fractions: looking for a common denominator, adding the numerators, and streamlining the results. Let’s take a closer look at every one of these steps, and then we’ll do some examples.

Step 1: Determining a Common Denominator

With these helpful points, 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 smallest common denominator is the lowest number that both fractions will split 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 determine the number of the factors of respective number as far as you look for a common one.

For example, let’s say 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 evenly into that number.

Here’s a great tip: if you are unsure 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

Now that you have the common denominator, the following step is to convert each fraction so that it has that denominator.

To change these into an equivalent fraction with an identical denominator, you will multiply both the denominator and numerator by the identical number needed to get the common denominator.

Following the prior example, 6 will become the common denominator. To convert the numerators, we will multiply 1/3 by 2 to get 2/6, while 1/6 would remain 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 be moving forward to simplify.

Step Three: Streamlining the Answers

The last step is to simplify the fraction. Doing so means we are required to reduce the fraction to its minimum terms. To obtain this, we find 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 ultimate answer of 1/2.

You go by 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 procedures mentioned above, you will observe that they share the same denominators. Lucky for you, this means you can avoid the initial stage. At the moment, 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 try to simplify the fraction. We can perceive that this is an improper fraction, as the numerator is larger than the denominator. This might indicate that you can simplify the fraction, but this is not feasible when we work 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 answer of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by two.

Considering you follow these steps when dividing two or more fractions, you’ll be a professional at adding fractions in a matter of time.

Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators

The procedure will require an supplementary step when you add or subtract fractions with dissimilar 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 prior to this, to add unlike fractions, you must obey all three steps 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 demonstrated, 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

Since all the fractions have a common denominator, we will go forward to add the numerators:

2/12 + 8/12 + 18/12 = 28/12

We simplify the fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by 4, finding a ultimate answer of 7/3.

Adding Mixed Numbers

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

The Steps to Adding Mixed Numbers

To solve addition exercises with mixed numbers, you must initiate by converting 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

Take down your result as a numerator and retain the denominator.

Now, you move forward by summing these unlike fractions as you generally would.

Examples of How to Add Mixed Numbers

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

First, 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

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 end up with this result:

7/4 + 5/4

By summing the numerators with the similar 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 result.

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