Adding Fractions

Lesson icon
Lesson Objective
In this lesson, we will learn the basics behind adding fractions that have like and unlike denominators.
Why icon
About This Lesson
It is quite straight forward to add fractions after we understand the basic ideas behind it.

This lesson shows you the important ideas that you should know when adding fractions. We will be dealing with fractions that have:
  1. Like denominators
  2. Unlike denominators
Also, you will able to see why Equivalent Fractions plays an important role when we have fractions with unlike denominators. 

Adding fractions with like denominators

Study Tips

Tips icon
Tip #1 - Understand Equivalent Fractions
The idea behind Equivalent Fractions enables us to change a fraction's denominator. If you are not very sure about it, click here to watch the math video lesson.

multiply to find equivalent fraction

Tips icon
Tip #2 - Adding fractions with like denominators
It is quite simple to add fractions that have like denominators. To do so, we simply add the numerators together while keeping the denominator the same.

This is illustrated in the picture below:
 
Add both the numerator together

The math video below will visually explain why we can do so.
Tips icon
Tip #3 - Adding fractions with unlike denominators
To add fraction with unlike denominators, we need to:
  1. Make the denominators the same (like denominators)
  2. Then, just add the same way as shown in Tip #2
Now, we can make the denominators the same by using the ideas behind Equivalent Fractions. Scroll down to the math video below for more explanation. 

Tips icon
Tip #4 - Shortcut to add fractions with unlike denominators
Fortunately, there is a short-cut to add fractions with unlike denominators. Below are the steps:
 
Multiply the denominators
Step 1
Multiply both the denominators. This
gives 10.


Multiply numerator with denominator
Step 2
Multiply 1 with the other fraction's
denominator. This gives 5.
 


Multiply numerator with denominator
Step 3
Multiply 3 with the other fraction's
denominator. This gives 6.


Add these fractions
Step 4
Adding 5 with 6 gives 11. Hence, the resulting fraction is 11/10 . That is all.


Math Video

Math video icon
Lesson Video

If the above player doesn't work, try this direct link.

Math videos icon
Math Video Transcript

Practice Questions & More

Math video icon
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Now, let's try some MCQ questions to understand this lesson better.

You can start by going through the series of questions on Adding Fractions or pick your choice of question below.
  1. Question 1 on adding fractions with like denominators
  2. Question 2 on adding fractions with unlike denominators