estim.at
โ† Back to Learning Center
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

10
19
+
5
9

Answer:

1 
14
171

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Find common denominator (LCM): LCM(19, 9) = 171
  2. 2
    Convert fractions to common denominator: 10/19 = 90/171, 5/9 = 95/171
    10
    19
    +
    5
    9
  3. 3
    Add the numerators: 90/171 + 95/171 = 185/171
    90
    171
    +
    95
    171
    =
    185
    171
  4. 4
    Convert to mixed number: 1 14/171
    1 
    14
    171

โž– Subtracting Fractions

Example

3
11
-
2
11

Answer:

1
11

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Fractions have the same denominator: 3/11 - 2/11
    3
    11
    โˆ’
    2
    11
  2. 2
    Subtract the numerators: (3 - 2)/11
    (3 - 2)
    11
  3. 3
    Calculate the result: 1/11
    1
    11

โœ–๏ธ Multiplying Fractions

Example

3
7
ร—
6
7

Answer:

18
49

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Write the fractions: 3/7 ร— 6/7
    3
    7
    ร—
    6
    7
  2. 2
    Multiply numerators and denominators: (3 ร— 6)/(7 ร— 7)
    (3 ร— 6)
    (7 ร— 7)
  3. 3
    Calculate the result: 18/49
    18
    49

โž— Dividing Fractions

Example

1
2
รท
1
4

Answer:

2

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Write the fractions: 1/2 รท 1/4
    1
    2
    รท
    1
    4
  2. 2
    Change division to multiplication by reciprocal: 1/2 ร— 4/1
    1
    2
    ร—
    4
    1
  3. 3
    Multiply numerators and denominators: (1 ร— 4)/(2 ร— 1)
    (1 ร— 4)
    (2 ร— 1)
  4. 4
    Calculate the result: 4/2
    4
    2
  5. 5
    Convert to mixed number: 2
    2 
    0
    1

Practice Now!

Generate your own worksheet with problems of this type and practice as much as you want.

Generate Worksheet