

So how do you make sure when you are adding fractions that your answer is shown in its lowest equivalent? You have added the fractions okay, but your answer may not be showing the lowest equivalent fraction. Reducing Fractions To Their Lowest Equivalent So let’s continue with some detailed information about adding fractions in these special cases. This will show a representation of the Whole Parts and the Fractional Parts. To write these answers in their simplest form you will have to convert them to a mixed number. This is where the numerator is larger than the denominator. Many teachers will insist that you reduce a fraction whenever possible.Īlso, adding two fractions could result in what’s called an improper fraction. As a result, here are a few more things to think about…įirst, your answer may be a higher equivalent fraction, which is better represented in its reduced form. What that really means is that you must show your results in the “best” fractional form possible. Sometimes when you add fractions of any type, you will need to simplify your answer.
ADD FRACTIONS HOW TO
So, let’s get right to it.Ĭlick here to learn how to re-write your answer as a simplified or reduced fraction. But there are still a few more things we need to talk about to complete this lesson. It would be great if the rule as stated above was all you needed to know about adding fractions. You do want to be a “whiz” at fractions? Right? Now that you have this part of adding fractions down, let’s dig a little deeper… Here’s an example of adding fractions with the same denominator…ĭo you want to take a moment to check your work? Try our new Adding Fractions Calculator for adding up to 5 fractions, whole numbers, mixed numbers or improper fractions with the same or different denominators. Re-write your answer as a simplified or reduced fraction.Cancel-out fraction mixes that have a value of 1.Reduce or simplify your answer, if needed.The new denominator will be the denominator of the built-up fractions.

Build each fraction (if needed) so that both denominators are equal.Complete the following steps to add two fractions.

To add fractions, the denominators must be equal. Instructions for adding fractions with the same denominator So, all we have to do is add up the parts and keep our same point of reference.

Remember that a fraction refers to the number of parts in a “whole”, and the WHOLE that we are talking about is always the number in the denominator (on the bottom). So, if your are dealing with the same (common) denominator (b), the answer is the sum of the numerators (a and c) over their common denominator. The equation above shows the Rule for addition. We will include all of the information you will need to make working with common denominator problems a breeze! This lesson covers adding fractions with same denominator. Adding Fractions with the Same DenominatorsĪdding fractions with the same denominators is pretty straightforward when you follow the rules.
