The most important thing to remember when adding or subtracting fractions is to

make sure that the denominators are the same. We can add

f tZ f Ig

We can add these fractions as the denominators match.

If they are not our answers will be

off. For example if we try to add

It I
With out making the decimal what
would we get ?

E Z
4
E
But if we use our fraction walls and
knowledge of equivalent fractions we
know that

I
All we would have to do.

to the half is multiply

both the numerator (top) and the
denominator (bottom) by 2.

2
Now that we have Instead of
4
one half we can now add our
fractions.

f tf
The same method works with subtracting fractions

G I

ZE G G or

What do we do though if we want to add fractions that don’t fit neatly on our fraction
walls? Remember that when we jump around our fraction walls we have to multiply or
divide both the numerator and the denominator to change between equivalent
fractions. We can also multiply fractions by factors to make our denominators match.

So if we want to add

We need to make the denominators match. So we have

I tf
to find a number that both 3 and 11 go into. The easiest

way to find this number is to multiply the denominators.

33 would then become our new denominator. But what

3 11 33 happens to the numerators? If we multiply the bottom by a

factor w e have to do the same to the top.

Now we can add them together.

1 X 3 I l l8
t t I
Jz

li 3

Jx 33
So our answer is But can we simplify it? Are 33 and 29 divisible by the same
number?
2933
No. So2933is the true answer.

Again this method is the same with subtraction.

x8

7 8X 10
650

To 10 8 840

87 0
But wait we have to remember to simplify if we can. Is there a number that goes into
both 6 and 80? 2 does so we can divide both the top and bottom of the fraction by 2.

So our final answer is

6 3 Z
8072 To

40

What if we have mixed or improper factions that we want to add or subtract?

When we have mixed numerals (mixed fractions) we need to make them improper
fractions. Remover to make a mixed numeral an improper fractions you have
to multiply 2 the whole number by the denominator and then add it to the
numerator. Now we can use 14 over 5 in addition and subtraction
equations. 2 S Just don’t forget to simplify back to mixed numerals at
the end if needed.

Addition example

zests StG 5 7 4

Subtraction example

10 is a number that both 10 and 5 go into

3 E Fo E Ho
gE2zcto

Don’t forget to simplify. To go back to mixed numerals divide the denominator into

EEo
the numerator and leave the remainder as the numerator.

2rTT

2
But wait can we simplify more? What number goes into 10 and 4?

z o E2