Adding Fractions

Question

How do you add fractions with unlike denominators?

Answer 1

How can you add fractions with unlike denominators?

Example: 1/2 + 3/9

Step 1: We have to find a common denominator by multiplying the denominators by the other number.

1/2 x 9/9 = 9/18

3/9 x 2/2 = 6/18

When we multiply the denominator (bottom), we also have to multiply the top (numerator).

Step 2: The new question is now 9/18 + 6/18

Step 3: Add the two fractions together now!

9/18 + 6/18 = 15/18

So, 1/2 + 3/9 = 15/18

Answer 2

To add fractions with different denominators (numbers on the bottom) you need to find a multiple of both denominators and multiply accordingly

8 and 4 both have 16 as a multiple so that can be your common denominator

you multiply the numerators and denominators so the new denominator values are the same

then multiple across and simplify (if necessary)

Answer 3

To add fractions with unlike denominators, you need to make some common ground. If you had a bowl of lemons and a bowl of bananas, you can’t say: I have two bowls of bananas. They don’t match. Instead, you would say: I have two bowls of fruit. Fruit is a larger category, but it contains both bowls in its definition.

In math, you have to find a larger number that contains both answers in its factors. The way we do this is through multiplication.

Lets look at:

1/4 +1/3 =

4 and 3 aren’t the same. But we can find a larger number that includes both in its factors. Often, the easiest number to find is the one that uses the denominators as factors (4x3). If we multiply any part of the fraction, we have to multiply all of the fraction. So we would multiply

(1/4 x 3/3) + (1/3 x 4/4) =

Now the answers come clear!

3/12 + 4/12 = 7/12

I hope this helped

Answer 4

Hello,

You need to find a common denominator by doing the appropriate multiplication. For example:

1/8 + 1/4= ?

For this, multiply both the numerator and denominator of 1/4 by 2:

2*1=2

2*4=8

New fraction= 2/8

Now the problem reads:

1/8 + 2/8

This gives:

3/8

You can always do that type of multiplication to find a common denominator. Just make sure you multiply both the numerator and denominator of the desired fraction. I hope this helps.