๐Ÿ”ข

How to Solve Fractions

Learn to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions.

๐Ÿ“ Step by Step

  1. 1 To add or subtract fractions, first find a common denominator (least common multiple of denominators).
  2. 2 Convert each fraction by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the appropriate number to get the common denominator.
  3. 3 Add or subtract the numerators, keeping the common denominator.
  4. 4 Simplify the result if possible by dividing the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor.

Examples by Operation Type

โž• Adding Fractions

Example

11
17
+
1
5

Answer:

72
85

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Find common denominator (LCM): LCM(17, 5) = 85
  2. 2
    Convert fractions to common denominator: 11/17 = 55/85, 1/5 = 17/85
    11
    17
    +
    1
    5
  3. 3
    Add the numerators: 55/85 + 17/85 = 72/85
    55
    85
    +
    17
    85
    =
    72
    85

โž– Subtracting Fractions

Example

12
15
-
9
22

Answer:

43
110

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Find common denominator (LCM): LCM(15, 22) = 330
  2. 2
    Convert fractions to common denominator: 12/15 = 264/330, 9/22 = 135/330
    12
    15
    โˆ’
    9
    22
  3. 3
    Subtract the numerators: 264/330 - 135/330 = 129/330
    264
    330
    โˆ’
    135
    330
    =
    129
    330
  4. 4
    Simplify the result: 43/110
    43
    110

โœ–๏ธ Multiplying Fractions

Example

1
4
ร—
2
11

Answer:

1
22

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Write the fractions: 1/4 ร— 2/11
    1
    4
    ร—
    2
    11
  2. 2
    Multiply numerators and denominators: (1 ร— 2)/(4 ร— 11)
    (1 ร— 2)
    (4 ร— 11)
  3. 3
    Calculate the result: 2/44
    2
    44
  4. 4
    Simplify the result: 1/22
    1
    22

โž— Dividing Fractions

Example

3
7
รท
3
6

Answer:

6
7

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Write the fractions: 3/7 รท 3/6
    3
    7
    รท
    3
    6
  2. 2
    Change division to multiplication by reciprocal: 3/7 ร— 6/3
    3
    7
    ร—
    6
    3
  3. 3
    Multiply numerators and denominators: (3 ร— 6)/(7 ร— 3)
    (3 ร— 6)
    (7 ร— 3)
  4. 4
    Calculate the result: 18/21
    18
    21
  5. 5
    Simplify the result: 6/7
    6
    7

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