Adding & Subtracting Fractions

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

Adding fractions means combining two or more fractions to find a total. If the denominators are the same, add the numerators. If they are different, find a common denominator first.

Subtracting fractions means finding the difference between two fractions. If the denominators are the same, subtract the numerators. If they are different, find a common denominator first.

To add fractions with the same denominator, keep the denominator the same and add the numerators.

To subtract fractions with the same denominator, keep the denominator the same and subtract the numerators.

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

To convert a mixed number to an improper fraction, multiply the whole number by the denominator, add the numerator, and place that over the original denominator.

An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator, such as 9/4.

To find a common denominator, identify the least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators of the fractions you are adding or subtracting.

The fraction of a whole is the part of the whole represented by the numerator over the denominator.