Adding Fractions

Fractions can be added. Imagine you wanted to add ¹/₅ (one-fifth) and ³/₅ (three-fifths).

How to Add Fractions

It is easy to add fractions when the bottom numbers (called the denominators) are the same. It is slightly trickier to add fractions when the bottom numbers are different.

A Real Example of How to Add Fractions with the Same Denominator

Step-by-Step:

Answer:

¹/₅ (one-fifth) plus ³/₅ (three-fifths) equals ⁴/₅ (four-fifths).

How to Add Fractions with Different Denominators

In this example, the bottom numbers (the denominators) are different. Before our fractions can be added, we must make the denominators the same. In other words, we must find a common denominator for both fractions. The common denominator can be found using one of the methods below:

Note

Least Common Denominators and Least Common Multiples

The least common denominator method relies on finding the least common multiple of the denominators of the fractions. For our example used in the least common denominator method, the denominators are 2 and 3. List the multiples of 2 and 3: The least common denominator is the lowest number that appears in both lists,: The least common denominator of 2 and 3 is 6.

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