Adding Fractions

1	+	1
4		4

1	+	1	=	1 + 1	=	2
4		4		4		4

 

Step 3. Simplify the fraction:

2	=	1
4		2

 

(If you are unsure of the last step see the equivalent fractions page)

 

Example 2:

 

1	+	1
3		6

Step 1: The bottom numbers are different. So we need to make them the same.

We can multiply the top and bottom of ¹/₃ by 2 like this:

 

1	=	2
3		6

 

And now the bottom numbers (the denominators) are the same, our question looks like:

Step 2: Add the top numbers and put them over the same denominator:

2	+	1	=	2 + 1	=	3
6		6		6		6

Step 3: Simplify the fraction:

3	=	1
6		2

Making the Denominators the Same

In the previous example it was easy to make the denominators the same, but it can be harder ... so you may need to use either the

• Least Common Denominator Method, or the
• Common Denominator Method

They both work, use whichever you prefer!