September 29, 2022

How to Add Fractions: Examples and Steps

Adding fractions is a common math application that children study in school. It can seem scary at first, but it becomes simple with a tiny bit of practice.

This blog article will walk you through the process of adding two or more fractions and adding mixed fractions. We will ,on top of that, provide examples to show how this is done. Adding fractions is crucial for various subjects as you move ahead in science and math, so be sure to master these skills early!

The Process of Adding Fractions

Adding fractions is an ability that many kids struggle with. Nevertheless, it is a somewhat simple process once you understand the essential principles. There are three primary steps to adding fractions: looking for a common denominator, adding the numerators, and streamlining the answer. Let’s take a closer look at each of these steps, and then we’ll work on some examples.

Step 1: Determining a Common Denominator

With these helpful tips, you’ll be adding fractions like a professional in a flash! The first 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 split uniformly.

If the fractions you desire to add share the equal denominator, you can avoid this step. If not, to look for the common denominator, you can determine the number of the factors of respective number until you determine a common one.

For example, let’s say we desire 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 quick tip: if you are not sure regarding this process, 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 change each fraction so that it has that denominator.

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

Following the last 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.

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

Step Three: Simplifying the Answers

The last process is to simplify the fraction. Consequently, it means we need to reduce 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 greatest common factor of 3 and 6 is 3. When we divide both numbers by 3, we get the concluding answer of 1/2.

You follow the exact procedure 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 see that they share equivalent denominators. You are lucky, this means you can skip the first step. At the moment, all you have to do is sum of the numerators and leave the same denominator as it was.

2/4 + 6/4 = 8/4

Now, let’s attempt to simplify the fraction. We can perceive that this is an improper fraction, as the numerator is greater than the denominator. This may suggest 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 result of 2 by dividing the numerator and denominator by two.

Provided that you go by these steps when dividing two or more fractions, you’ll be a professional at adding fractions in matter of days.

Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators

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

The Steps to Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators

As we have said before this, to add unlike fractions, you must obey all three procedures stated prior to convert these unlike denominators into equivalent fractions

Examples of How to Add Fractions with Unlike Denominators

Here, we will concentrate on another example by summing up the following fractions:

1/6+2/3+6/4

As demonstrated, the denominators are different, and the smallest common multiple is 12. Therefore, we multiply each 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 move ahead to total 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 answer of 7/3.

Adding Mixed Numbers

We have mentioned 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 solve addition problems with mixed numbers, you must start 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

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

Now, you go ahead by adding these unlike fractions as you usually would.

Examples of How to Add Mixed Numbers

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

Foremost, 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

Next, add the whole number represented as a fraction to the other fraction in the mixed number.

4/4 + 3/4 = 7/4

You will be left with this result:

7/4 + 5/4

By adding 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 conclusive answer.

Use Grade Potential to Improve Your Mathematics Skills Today

If you're struggling to understand adding fractions, consider signing up for a tutoring session with Grade Potential. One of our expert tutors can help you understand the topic and nailcrack your next exam.