Adding+Fractions

Adding Fractions
by: Alexis

Only fractions with equal denominators can be added or subtracted as they are.

math \frac{1}{5}+\frac{3}{5}=\frac{4}{5} math
 * Examples:**

math \frac{1}{5}+\frac{1}{2}=? math

If the denominators of fractions that are going to be added are unequal, you have to find a common denominator. One quick way to get a common denominator for two fractions is to multiply their denominators. In this case that multiplication gives us 10.

math \frac{1}{2}+\frac {1}{5}=\frac{?}{10}+\frac{?}{10} math

Thus, to add or subtract fractions, we should change the fractions into their equivalents with 10 as a common denominator. To do so, multiply both the numerator and denominator of each fraction by the denominator of the other fraction: math \frac{1}{5}=\frac{1*2}{5*2}=\frac{2}{10} math

math \frac{1}{2}=\frac{1*5}{2*5}=\frac{5}{10} math

Now we can add the fractions. math \frac{1}{5}+\frac{1}{2}=\frac{2}{10}+\frac{5}{10}=\frac{7}{10} math

edited by: Mr. Rochester