Adding Fractions
The most important thing that you must do before you add fractions is to make sure they have common denominators!
Examples:
1/5 + 2/5
I can add these two fractions together because they have the same denominator. I add the numerators together (1 + 2) and keep the denominator. My answer is 3/5
1/3 +2/4
I can't add these two fractions together because they do NOT have the same denominator. I MUST get common denominators!!
To get a common denominator I will multiply the 1/3 fraction by the other fraction's denominator (4). I will then multiply the 2/4 fraction by the other fraction's denominator (3). What ever I multiply the denominator by I MUST also multiply the numerator by the same number. So....my new fractions become 4/12+6/12 = 10/12. I ask myself "But wait....is there more??" Yes!! I can simplify! This fraction can be divided by 2. My final fraction is 5/6!
The most important thing that you must do before you add fractions is to make sure they have common denominators!
Examples:
1/5 + 2/5
I can add these two fractions together because they have the same denominator. I add the numerators together (1 + 2) and keep the denominator. My answer is 3/5
1/3 +2/4
I can't add these two fractions together because they do NOT have the same denominator. I MUST get common denominators!!
To get a common denominator I will multiply the 1/3 fraction by the other fraction's denominator (4). I will then multiply the 2/4 fraction by the other fraction's denominator (3). What ever I multiply the denominator by I MUST also multiply the numerator by the same number. So....my new fractions become 4/12+6/12 = 10/12. I ask myself "But wait....is there more??" Yes!! I can simplify! This fraction can be divided by 2. My final fraction is 5/6!