Adding & Subtracting Fractions

Front

What is a fraction?

Back

A fraction represents a part of a whole, consisting of a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number).

Front

What does it mean to add fractions?

Back

Adding fractions means combining the parts represented by the fractions. If the denominators are the same, add the numerators and keep the denominator. If they are different, find a common denominator first.

Front

What does it mean to subtract fractions?

Back

Subtracting fractions means taking one part away from another. If the denominators are the same, subtract the numerators and keep the denominator. If they are different, find a common denominator first.

Front

How do you add fractions with the same denominator?

Back

Add the numerators together and keep the same denominator. For example, 1/4 + 2/4 = (1+2)/4 = 3/4.

Front

How do you add fractions with different denominators?

Back

Find a common denominator, convert the fractions, then add the numerators. For example, 1/3 + 1/6 = 2/6 + 1/6 = 3/6 = 1/2.

Front

What is a mixed number?

Back

A mixed number is a whole number combined with a fraction, such as 2 1/2.

Front

How do you convert a mixed number to an improper fraction?

Back

Multiply the whole number by the denominator, add the numerator, and place that over the original denominator. For example, 2 1/2 = (2*2 + 1)/2 = 5/2.

Front

What is the simplest form of a fraction?

Back

The simplest form of a fraction is when the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1. For example, 4/8 simplifies to 1/2.

Front

How do you subtract mixed numbers?

Back

Convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions, find a common denominator, subtract, and convert back if necessary.

Front

What is the sum of 2/7 + 4/7?

Back

6/7.