Add and Subtract Fractions

Front

What is a fraction?

Back

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

Front

What does it mean to add fractions?

Back

Adding fractions involves combining the parts represented by the fractions to find a total. You need a common denominator to do this.

Front

What does it mean to subtract fractions?

Back

Subtracting fractions involves taking one part away from another. You also need a common denominator to perform this operation.

Front

What is a common denominator?

Back

A common denominator is a shared multiple of the denominators of two or more fractions, allowing them to be added or subtracted.

Front

How do you find a common denominator for 1/4 and 1/6?

Back

The least common multiple (LCM) of 4 and 6 is 12, so the common denominator is 12.

Front

Convert 3/4 to a fraction with a denominator of 12.

Back

3/4 = 9/12.

Front

What is the sum of 1/2 and 1/3?

Back

1/2 + 1/3 = 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6.

Front

What is the difference between 5/6 and 1/2?

Back

5/6 - 1/2 = 5/6 - 3/6 = 2/6 = 1/3.

Front

How do you add mixed numbers?

Back

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

Front

What is 2 1/4 + 1 1/2?

Back

2 1/4 + 1 1/2 = 2 1/4 + 1 2/4 = 3 3/4.