Fractions calculator
The general steps for adding and subtracting fractions:
Adding fractions:
- Find a common denominator for the fractions.
- Rewrite each fraction as an equivalent fraction with the common denominator.
- Add the numerators of the equivalent fractions.
- Simplify the resulting fraction, if possible.
For example, let’s say we want to add 1/2 and 1/3:
- The least common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6, so we’ll use 6 as our common denominator.
- We can rewrite 1/2 as 3/6 and 1/3 as 2/6.
- We add the numerators 3 and 2 to get 5.
- The result is 5/6, which is already simplified.
Subtracting fractions:
- Find a common denominator for the fractions.
- Rewrite each fraction as an equivalent fraction with the common denominator.
- Subtract the numerators of the equivalent fractions.
- Simplify the resulting fraction, if possible.
For example, let’s say we want to subtract 1/4 from 3/8:
- The least common multiple of 4 and 8 is 8, so we’ll use 8 as our common denominator.
- We can rewrite 1/4 as 2/8 and 3/8 as 3/8 (it’s already in terms of 8).
- We subtract 2 from 3 to get 1.
- The result is 1/8, which is already simplified.
Fractions
Fractions are a way of representing a part of a whole or a ratio of two quantities. They are written as a numerator over a denominator, separated by a horizontal line, like this: a/b. The numerator represents the number of parts you have or are interested in, while the denominator represents the total number of parts in the whole.
Fractions can be classified as proper, improper, or mixed. A proper fraction is one where the numerator is smaller than the denominator, while an improper fraction has a numerator that is equal to or greater than the denominator. A mixed fraction is a combination of a whole number and a proper fraction, such as 2 1/2.
Fractions can be added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided, but the process is different from what you may be used to with whole numbers. The most important thing to remember when working with fractions is to find a common denominator, which is a number that both denominators can divide into evenly. Once you have a common denominator, you can add or subtract the numerators and simplify the result by reducing the fraction to lowest terms.