Return to Student PageAdding Fractions with Common Denominators
Return to Student Page
Example
1 Simple Fraction Addition
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| --- | + | --- | = | --- |
| 5 | 5 | 5 |
Adding fractions with a common denominator is simple. Just add the top numbers of the fractions together, and place that on top of a fraction using the existing denominator for the bottom number. Do not add the denominators! The reduce the fraction if necessary.
Example
2 Simple Fraction Addition with Reducing
| 2 | 3 | 5 | ||
| --- | + | --- | = | --- |
| 10 | 10 | 10 |
Just add the top numbers of the fractions together, and place that on top of a fraction using the existing denominator for the bottom number. Do not add the denominators! The reduce the fraction if necessary.
To reduce your answer:
| 5 | / | 5 | 1 | |
| --- | --- | = | --- | |
| 10 | / | 5 | 2 |
The final answer is:
| 5 | 1 | |
| --- | = | --- |
| 10 | 2 |
Example 3 Converting the answer to a mixed number
| 2 | 3 | 5 | ||
| --- | + | --- | = | --- |
| 4 | 4 | 4 |
Just add the top numbers of the fractions together, and place that on top of a fraction using the existing denominator for the bottom number. Do not add the denominators!
Then convert the improper fraction to a mixed number by dividing the numerator by the denominator and putting the remainder over the denominator.
| 5 | 1 | 1 | |
| --- | = | --- | |
| 4 | 4 |