Adding Fractions

How To In Simple Steps

Welcome to the adding fractions section.

You are going to have a great time out here. Addition techniques and rules are explained in easy to understand way so that you understand the nuances of every statement in exquisite detail.

Now there are various cases that we will cover here. Here’s a list of all the fraction addition cases you will find in this section.

• Fractions with same denominator
• Fractions with different denominators
• Improper fractions

Adding fractions with same denominator

Step #1 Check the denominators (numbers at the bottom of the fraction) of both the fractional numbers. Make sure that they are equal before proceeding to the next step.

Step #2 Place the denominator in the numbers in the space for denominator of the sum. For example of the denominators of the two numbers is 4 then the denominator of the fraction that is the sum of the two fractions is also 4.

Step #3 Now we got to think of the numerator of the sum. For evaluating the numerator add the two numerators. For example if the numerators in the two fractions to be added are 2 and 3 respectively then the numerator of the sum would be the sum of 2 and 3 i.e. 5.

Step #4 Write the answer in the appropriate format by placing the numerator and the denominator at their defined positions.

Step #5 Simplify the solution you obtained at the end of Step #4. This step is not necessary if your answer is already in its simplest form.

Adding fractions with unlike denominator

No nothing alarming for you to worry about!

It’s just that you got to add up a few more steps. Now we know that the denominators are unlike. So here we just cannot add the numerators as in case of fractions with like denominators. First we will have to covert the two fractions to equivalent fractions with like denominator. Here are the details outlined step by step. Let’s dive into it right away.

Step #1 First take the two denominators and find their LCM.

Step #2 Divide the denominator of each number by the LCM obtained in Step #1. Then divide the quotient obtained with the numerator of the corresponding fraction. This will give you the new numerator for the equivalent fraction. Here the denominator will be the LCM found earlier.

Step #3 At this stage you have two fractions with same denominator. Adding these fractions is same as adding two fractions with like denominator. Just follow the steps mentioned earlier from this stage.

Adding mixed fractions

After the conversion you will have two fractions that can be added using the steps mentioned earlier.

Adding fractions wasn’t that difficult was it? Spend some time working out a couple of problems and you will feel comfortable with it.