How to add fractions

 

A: Firstly to add fractions the denominators have to be the same.

For example, 3/7 + 2/3

firstly you need to work out the lcm of 7 and 3, in this case it is 21.

So each fraction needs to be put into the form a/21 + b/21

For the fraction 3/7, you are timsing the 7 by 3  to get 21, so you also need to times the numerator by leaving you with 9/21 which = 3/7 

Then starting with 2/3, to get a denominator of 21, you need to times 3 by 7, so you also need to times the numerator by leaving you with 14/21 which =2/3

Finally to add the 2 fractions 9/21 + 14/21 = 23/21

Other examples for you to try..

1) 3/5 + 2/3

2) 3/5 + 6/20

 

JL
Answered by Jennifer L. Maths tutor

4804 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do I a differentiate a cosine function?


Solve x for (x)/(4x-1) = (6x+5)/(12x+31)


How do I expand (2x+5)(9x-2)?


Solve the simultaneous equations: 2x + 3y = 5 and 3x + 4y = 12


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning