3.

3 Addition and Subtraction of Rational Numbers

In this section we consider addition and subtraction of both fractions and decimals. We start with
1 3
addition and subtraction of fractions with the same denominator. Consider the sum + . If you
8 8
think of eighths as the quantity being added, it makes sense the sum is:

1 3 1+ 3
+ =
8 8 8
4
=
8
1 • 4/
=
2 • 4/
1
=
2

1 1 3 1
Mathematically, we are actually using the distributive property. Since = 1 • and = 3 • ,
8 8 8 8
we have the sum:

1 3 1 1
+ = 1• + 3•
8 8 8 8
1
=4•
8
4
=
8
1 • 4/
=
2 • 4/
1
=
2

Regardless of the way you look at the problem, adding (or subtracting) two fractions with the
same denominator simply means to add or subtract their numerators, leaving the denominator
untouched.

161
Example 1 Add or subtract the fractions, as indicated. Be sure to simplify all answers.

5 1
a. +
12 12
3 5
b. !
8 8
4 6
c. ! !
15 15
9 5 3
d. ! + !
16 16 16

Solution a. Add the two fractions, combine the numerators, then simplify:

5 1 5 +1
+ = combine fractions
12 12 12
6
= add numerators
12
1 • 6/
= factor GCF
2 • 6/
1
= cancel common factors
2

b. Subtract the two fractions, combine the numerators, then simplify:

3 5 3! 5
! = combine fractions
8 8 8
3 + (!5)
= rewrite subtraction as addition
8
!2
= add numerators
8
1 • 2/
=! factor GCF
4 • 2/
1
=! cancel common factors
4
Note how we rewrite subtraction as addition in the second step.

162
 c. Subtract the two fractions, combine the numerators, then simplify:

4 6 !4 ! 6
! ! = combine fractions
15 15 15
!4 + (!6)
= rewrite subtraction as addition
15
!10
= add numerators
15
2 • 5/
=! factor GCF
3 • 5/
2
=! cancel common factors
3

d. Add the three fractions, combine the numerators, then simplify:

9 5 3 !9 + 5 ! 3
! + ! = combine fractions
16 16 16 16
!9 + 5 + (!3)
= add numerators
16
!12 + 5
= add negatives
16
7
=! add numbers
16

9
Notice that when working with negative fractions such as ! , we treat the negative as being
16
with the numerator. This is done to allow the denominator to always be positive, making it easier
to compare denominators.

When two denominators are not the same, we need to build each fraction to a common
5 3
denominator. For example, suppose we are adding the two fractions + . Can we find a
6 8
denominator that both fractions can be built up to? Since the least common multiple (LCM) of 6
and 8 is 24, then both fractions can be converted to one with a denominator of 24. That will
allow us to add the two fractions using the least common denominator (fraction terminology
for LCM).

163
Converting each fraction:

5 3 5 4 3 3
+ = • + • converting to common denominators
6 8 6 4 8 3
20 9
= + building fractions
24 24
20 + 9
= combining fractions
24
29 5
= or 1 adding fractions
24 24

Fractions can actually be built to any common denominator (such as 48 in the previous example),
however the LCM will provide the smallest denominator to use, which usually results in less
errors and simplifying of answers. Note that we gave the mixed form of the answer also.
Generally we do not give mixed form answers, unless they are asked for or mixed numbers were
used originally in the problem.

Example 2 Add or subtract the fractions, as indicated. Be sure to simplify all answers.

3 5
a. ! +
4 6
7 5
b. ! !
8 16
5 2 3
c. ! ! +
12 3 8
7 13 9
d. ! ! !
10 15 20

164
Solution a. The LCM of 4 and 6 is 12. Converting each fraction to the common
denominator of 12, then combining numerators and simplifying:

3 5 3 3 5 2
! + =! • + • converting to common denominators
4 6 4 3 6 2
9 10
=! + building fractions
12 12
!9 + 10
= combining fractions
12
1
= adding fractions
12

b. The LCM of 8 and 16 is 16. Converting each fraction to the common

denominator of 16, then combining numerators and simplifying:

7 5 7 2 5
! ! =! • ! converting to common denominators
8 16 8 2 16
14 5
=! ! building fractions
16 16
!14 ! 5
= combining fractions
12
!14 + (!5)
= converting to addition
12
19 7
=! or ! 1 adding fractions
12 12

165
c. The LCM of 12, 3, and 8 is 24. Converting each fraction to the common
denominator of 24, then combining numerators and simplifying:

5 2 3
! ! +
12 3 8
5 2 2 8 3 3
=! • ! • + • converting to common denominators
12 2 3 8 8 3
10 16 9
=! ! + building fractions
24 24 24
!10 ! 16 + 9
= combining fractions
24
!10 + (!16) + 9
= converting to addition
24
17
=! adding fractions
24

d. The LCM of 10, 15, and 20 is 60. Converting each fraction to the common
denominator of 60, then combining numerators and simplifying:

7 13 9
! ! !
10 15 20
7 6 13 4 9 3
=! • ! • ! • converting to common denominators
10 6 15 4 20 3
42 52 27
=! ! ! building fractions
60 60 60
!42 ! 52 ! 27
= combining fractions
60
!42 + (!52) + (!27)
= converting to addition
60
121 1
=! or ! 2 adding fractions
60 60

166
Recall that the least common multiple of numbers cannot always be found easily. In such cases,
using primes to find the LCM is a faster method. Suppose we want to add the two fractions:

17 19
+
84 72

Start by finding the prime factorizations of 84 and 72:

84 = 4 • 21 = ( 2 • 2 ) • ( 3 • 7 ) = 2 • 2 • 3 • 7
72 = 8 • 9 = ( 2 • 4 ) • ( 3 • 3) = 2 • 2 • 2 • 3 • 3

Since the LCM must have three 2’s, two 3’s, and one 7, it is:

LCM = 2 • 2 • 2 • 3 • 3 • 7 = 504

Now build up the fractions using the prime factors:

17 19 17 6 19 7
+ = • + • converting to common denominators
84 72 84 6 72 7
102 133
= + building fractions
504 504
102 + 133
= combining fractions
504
235
= adding numerators
504
5 • 47
= prime factorizations
2 • 2 • 2 • 3• 3• 7
235
= multiplying factors
504

Note a few advantages in using primes for the common denominator. In building the fractions,
6 7
the forms of 1 used which were and can be found by just looking at the prime
6 7
factorizations, rather than by using division. Also, in the step of simplifying the resulting
fraction, the prime factorization for the denominator is already known (that is how we got the
denominator!), so only the numerator needs to be factored in order for the fraction to be reduced.
For these reasons, many students find that using primes to obtain common denominators (rather
than by guessing) is a better approach.

167
Example 3 Add or subtract the fractions, as indicated. Use primes to find the least common
denominator. Be sure to simplify all answers.

5 17
a. ! +
8 36
31 19
b. ! !
40 28
5 13 17
c. ! + !
12 20 45
5 7
d. +
8x 12y

Solution a. Start by finding the prime factorizations of 8 and 36:

8 = 2•4 = 2•2•2
36 = 4 • 9 = 2 • 2 • 3 • 3
The LCM must have three 2’s and two 3’s, which is:
LCM = 2 • 2 • 2 • 3 • 3 = 72
Now build the fractions to the LCM, combine numerators, and simplify:
5 17 5 9 17 2
! + =! • + • converting to common denominators
8 36 8 9 36 2
45 34
=! + building fractions
72 72
!45 + 34
= combining fractions
72
11
=! adding numerators
72

168
b. Start by finding the prime factorizations of 40 and 28:
40 = 4 • 10 = 2 • 2 • 2 • 5
28 = 4 • 7 = 2 • 2 • 7
The LCM must have three 2’s, one 5, and one 7, which is:
LCM = 2 • 2 • 2 • 5 • 7 = 280
Now build the fractions to the LCM, combine numerators, and simplify:
31 19 31 7 19 10
! ! =! • ! • converting to common denominators
40 28 40 7 28 10
217 190
=! ! building fractions
280 280
!217 ! 190
= combining fractions
280
!217 + (!190)
= changing to addition
280
407
=! adding numerators
280

c. Start by finding the prime factorizations of 12, 20, and 45:

12 = 4 • 3 = 2 • 2 • 3
20 = 4 • 5 = 2 • 2 • 5
45 = 9 • 5 = 3 • 3 • 5
The LCM must have two 2’s, two 3’s, and one 5, which is:
LCM = 2 • 2 • 3 • 3 • 5 = 180

169
 Now build the fractions to the LCM, combine numerators, and simplify:
5 13 17
! + !
12 20 45
5 15 13 9 17 4
=! • + • ! • converting to common denominators
12 15 20 9 45 4
75 117 68
=! + ! building fractions
180 180 180
!75 + 117 ! 68
= combining fractions
180
!75 + 117 + (!68)
= changing to addition
180
26
=! adding numerators
180
2/ • 13
=! cancelling common factors
2/ • 2 • 3 • 3 • 5
13
=! multiplying factors
90

d. Start by finding the prime factorizations of 8x and 12y:

8x = 2 • 2 • 2 • x
12y = 2 • 2 • 3 • y
The LCM must have three 2’s, one 3, one x, and one y, which is:
LCM = 2 • 2 • 2 • 3 • x • y = 24xy
Now build the fractions to the LCM and combine numerators:
5 7 5 3y 7 2x
+ = • + • converting to common denominators
8x 12y 8x 3y 12y 2x
15y 14x
= + building fractions
24xy 24xy
15y + 14x
= combining fractions
24xy
Notice how we cannot do any further simplification of this resulting
fraction. In algebra you will learn some techniques which can be applied to
simplify fractions such as this one.

170
When dealing with mixed numbers, two different approaches can be used. If we are adding two
mixed numbers, both of which are positive, the easiest approach is to add the whole number and
2 1
fraction portions separately. For example, to add 4 + 3 , we first add the two fractions:
3 2

2 1 2 2 1 3
+ = • + • converting to common denominators
3 2 3 2 2 3
4 3
= + building fractions
6 6
4+3
= combining fractions
6
7
= adding fractions
6
1
=1 converting to mixed number
6

Now adding the mixed numbers:

2 1 1 1
4 + 3 = 7 +1 = 8
3 2 6 6

171
However, when negative numbers become involved, this method becomes rather tricky. Thus, to
1 3
compute the subtraction 3 ! 6 , it is best to convert the mixed numbers to fractions and
4 5
compute directly:

1 3 13 33
3 !6 = ! converting to fractions
4 5 4 5
13 5 33 4
= • ! • converting to common denominators
4 5 5 4
65 132
= ! building fractions
20 20
65 ! 132
= combining fractions
20
67
=! subtracting fractions
20
7
= !3 converting to mixed number
20

Unless we are adding positive mixed numbers, it is this second approach we will use to combine
mixed numbers.

Example 4 Combine the mixed numbers, as indicated. Be sure to simplify any answers and
convert answers to mixed numbers.

5 3
a. 8 +5
6 4
1 9
b. 3 !7
8 16
1 3
c. !4 + 2
3 5
3 2
d. !5 ! 3
4 3

172
Solution a. Since we are adding positive mixed numbers, we can use the first approach.
Start by adding the two fractions:
5 3 5 2 3 3
+ = • + • converting to common denominators
6 4 6 2 4 3
10 9
= + building fractions
12 12
10 + 9
= combining fractions
12
19
= adding fractions
12
7
=1 converting to mixed number
12
Now adding the mixed numbers:
5 3 7 7
8 + 5 = 13 + 1 = 14
6 4 12 12

b. Converting the mixed numbers to fractions, then combining:

1 9 25 121
3 !7 = ! converting to fractions
8 16 8 16
25 2 121
= • ! converting to common denominators
8 2 16
50 121
= ! building fractions
16 16
50 ! 121
= combining fractions
16
71
=! subtracting fractions
16
7
= !4 converting to mixed number
16

173
c. Converting the mixed numbers to fractions, then combining:
1 3 13 13
!4 + 2 = ! + converting to fractions
3 5 3 5
13 5 13 3
= ! • + • converting to common denominators
3 5 5 3
65 39
=! + building fractions
15 15
!65 + 39
= combining fractions
15
26
=! adding fractions
15
11
= !1 converting to mixed number
15

d. Converting the mixed numbers to fractions, then combining:

3 2 23 11
!5 ! 3 = ! ! converting to fractions
4 3 4 3
23 3 11 4
= ! • ! • converting to common denominators
4 3 3 4
69 44
=! ! building fractions
12 12
!69 ! 44
= combining fractions
12
!69 + (!44)
= converting to addition
12
113
=! adding fractions
12
5
= !9 converting to mixed number
12

174
Whereas adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers involves a number of steps in
finding the common denominator, the same operations for decimals are fairly easy to apply.
Since the decimal system involves tenths, hundredths, thousandths, etc, the place-values used
already represent common denominators. Thus, to compute 15.89 + 7.643, we only need to be
sure the decimal points are lined up so that the place-values are also lined up. Usually we insert
place-value holders (0), line up the decimal points, then just add as with whole numbers. The
sum is therefore:
11 1
15.890
+7.643
23.533
Subtraction is performed similarly, except that borrowing (rather than carrying) is involved.

Example 5 Perform the following additions and subtractions.

a. 45.982 + 6.57
b. 9.9 + 23.864
c. 5.07 ! 3.295
d. 6.4 ! 9.86

Solution a. Lining up the decimal and inserting place-value holders:

111
45.982
+6.570
52.552

b. Lining up the decimal and inserting place-value holders:

11
9.900
+23.864
33.764

175
 c. Lining up the decimal and inserting place-value holders:

4 96
/ 0/ 70
5. /
!3.295
1.775

d. This is actually trickier than it looks. Since 9.86 is larger than 6.4, this
subtraction will result in a negative number. To find out how much it will be
negative, we actually need to reverse the subtraction:

9.86
!6.40
3.46

Since the value is actually negative, 6.4 ! 9.86 = !3.46 .

Terminology

least common denominator

Exercise Set 3.3

Add or subtract the fractions, as indicated. Be sure to simplify all answers.

7 1 4 8
1. + 2. +
12 12 15 15
5 11 7 13
3. ! 4. !
16 16 24 24
17 8 19 11
5. ! ! 6. ! !
25 25 30 30
23 7 13 5
7. ! + 8. ! +
30 30 24 24
5 7 11 13 7 11
9. ! + ! 10. ! ! +
12 12 12 24 24 24
7 11 17 13 17 5
11. ! ! 12. ! !
30 30 30 48 48 48

176
 3x 5y 17a 9b
13. ! 14. !
14 14 25 25

Add or subtract the fractions, as indicated. Be sure to simplify all answers.

2 5 3 5
15. + 16. +
3 6 4 8
1 7 2 11
17. ! 18. !
4 16 5 20
5 13 5 9
19. ! 20. !
8 15 8 10
5 2 7 5
21. ! + 22. ! +
6 3 9 6
3 1 2 1
23. ! + 24. ! +
4 6 3 4
5 3 5 4
25. ! ! 26. ! !
8 4 6 9
3 7 5 9
27. ! ! 28. ! !
8 12 7 14
5 5 17 7 11 7
29. ! ! + 30. ! ! +
8 12 24 10 15 25
7 13 11 5 7 11
31. ! + ! 32. ! + !
20 30 15 6 8 12

Add or subtract the fractions, as indicated. Use primes to find the least common denominator.
Be sure to simplify all answers.

7 19 13 17
33. + 34. +
8 36 32 36
26 11 23 13
35. ! + 36. ! !
35 15 35 15
27 16 29 18
37. ! ! 38. ! !
40 30 40 25
23 17 13 23
39. ! + 40. !
48 30 48 30
7 11 19 11 17 24
41. ! + ! 42. ! + !
12 20 45 12 20 35

177
 13 11 1 17 19 8
43. ! ! + 44. ! ! +
18 12 8 18 24 27
3 5 7 11
45. ! 46. !
8x 12x 10x 15x
5 8 3 7
47. ! 48. !
12a 15b 8a 12b

Combine the mixed numbers, as indicated. Be sure to simplify any answers and convert answers
to mixed numbers.

2 1 3 7
49. 5 + 7 50. 9 +8
3 2 4 8
1 3 5 1 9 3
51. 6 + 8 + 5 52. 9 +7 +6
3 4 6 2 10 5
1 7 2 5
53. 5 ! 9 54. 3 !8
4 8 3 6
7 13 1 7
55. 5 ! 9 56. 4 !9
12 15 12 15
1 2 1 3
57. !6 + 1 58. !8 + 3
2 3 3 4
5 5 5 7
59. !9 + 4 60. !7 + 9
6 8 8 12
3 1 3 5
61. !4 ! 5 62. !5 ! 7
4 6 5 8
6 9 3 9
63. !7 ! 8 64. !9 ! 5
7 14 8 24

Perform the following additions and subtractions.

65. 18.95 + 9.473 66. 23.876 + 8.49

67. 6.99 + 25.808 68. 7.98 + 24.376
69. 14.07 ! 9.683 70. 103.62 ! 56.954
71. 25 ! 14.46 72. 32 ! 16.85
73. 102 ! 28.407 74. 115 ! 65.749
75. 8.3 ! 12.473 76. 6.7 ! 14.826
77. 5.2 ! 13.104 78. 4.7 ! 26.43
79. !8.5 ! 25.77 80. !14.56 ! 29.859

178
Answer each of the following application questions. Be sure to read the question, interpret the
problem mathematically, solve the problem, then answer the question. You should answer the
question in the form of a sentence.

81. Maurice has $458.62 in his checking account, and writes checks for $15.87, $132.45,
and $88.60. What is his new balance in the account?
82. Sylvia has $682.36 in her checking account, and writes checks for $45.86, $102.39,
$23.69, and $16.70. What is her new balance in the account?
83. After writing a check for $78.97, Carolyn has $196.87 in her checking account. How
much was in her account before writing the check?
84. After writing a check for $199.68, Mary has $679.54 in her checking account. How
much was in her account before writing the check?
85. After depositing a check for $795.84 in his checking account, Alfred has $1669.86 in
his savings account. How much was in his account before depositing the check?
86. After depositing two checks for $186.52 and $337.50 in her account, Norma has
$1156.40 in her savings account. How much was in her account before depositing the
checks?
3 1
87. John buys a stock at a price of 146 . During the next day it rises 2 , then it drops
8 4
7
6 the following day. What is the price of the stock after these two days?
8
1 5
88. Dennis buys a stock at a price of 46 . During the next day it drops 1 , then it rises
2 16
1
3 the following day. What is the price of the stock after these two days?
4
1
89. Three pieces of lumber are stacked on top of each other. The first piece is 3 inches
2
3 7
thick, the next piece is 1 inches thick, and the third piece is inches thick. How
4 8
thick is the stack of three pieces of lumber?
3
90. Three pieces of lumber are stacked on top of each other. The first piece is 5 inches
4
1 1
thick, the next piece is 1 inches thick, and the third piece is 2 inches thick. How
2 8
thick is the stack of three pieces of lumber?

179