Adding Fractions

To add fractions there are Three Simple Steps:

Example:

Step 1. The bottom numbers (the denominators) are already the same. Go straight to step 2.

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

Step 3. Simplify the fraction:

1 4	+	1 4	=	2 4	=	1 2

... and do you see how 2 4 is simpler as 1 2 ? (see Equivalent Fractions.)

Example:

Step 1: The bottom numbers are different. See how the slices are different sizes?

1 3	+	1 6	=	?

We need to make them the same before we can continue, because we can't add them like that.

The number "6" is twice as big as "3", so to make the bottom numbers the same we can multiply the top and bottom of the first fraction by 2, like this:

× 2

× 2

Important: you multiply both top and bottom by the same amount,
to keep the value of the fraction the same

Now the fractions have the same bottom number ("6"), and our question looks like this:

2 6	+	1 6

The bottom numbers are now the same, so we can go to step 2.

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

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

In picture form it looks like this:

2 6	+	1 6	=	3 6

Step 3: Simplify the fraction:

3 6 = 1 2

In picture form the whole answer looks like this:

2 6	+	1 6	=	3 6	=	1 2

With Pen and Paper

And here is how to do it with a pen and paper (press the play button):

Play with it! Try Adding Fractions Illustrated.

A Rhyme To Help You Remember

♫ "If adding or subtracting is your aim,
The bottom numbers must be the same!
♫ "Change the bottom using multiply or divide,
But the same to the top must be applied,
♫ "And don't forget to simplify,
Before its time to say good bye"

Example:

1 3 + 1 5

Again, the bottom numbers are different (the slices are different sizes)!

1 3	+	1 5	=	?

But let us try dividing them into smaller sizes that will each be the same:

5 15	+	3 15

The first fraction: by multiplying the top and bottom by 5 we ended up with 5 15 :

× 5

× 5

The second fraction: by multiplying the top and bottom by 3 we ended up with 3 15 :

× 3

× 3

The bottom numbers are now the same, so we can go ahead and add the top numbers:

5 15	+	3 15	=	8 15

The result is already as simple as it can be, so that is the answer: 

1 3 + 1 5 = 8 15

Making the Denominators the Same

In the previous example how did we know to cut them into ¹/₁₅ths to make the denominators the same? We simply multiplied the two denominators together (3 × 5 = 15).

Read about the two main ways to make the denominators the same here:

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

They both work, use which one you prefer!

Adding Mixed Fractions

We have a special (more advanced) page on Adding Mixed Fractions.