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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

14
17
+
11
17

Answer:

1 
8
17

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Fractions have the same denominator: 14/17 + 11/17
    14
    17
    +
    11
    17
  2. 2
    Add the numerators: (14 + 11)/17
    (14 + 11)
    17
  3. 3
    Calculate the result: 25/17
    25
    17
  4. 4
    Convert to mixed number: 1 8/17
    1 
    8
    17

โž– Subtracting Fractions

Example

20
25
-
5
25

Answer:

3
5

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Fractions have the same denominator: 20/25 - 5/25
    20
    25
    โˆ’
    5
    25
  2. 2
    Subtract the numerators: (20 - 5)/25
    (20 - 5)
    25
  3. 3
    Calculate the result: 15/25
    15
    25
  4. 4
    Simplify the result: 3/5
    3
    5

โœ–๏ธ Multiplying Fractions

Example

2
4
ร—
5
11

Answer:

5
22

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Write the fractions: 2/4 ร— 5/11
    2
    4
    ร—
    5
    11
  2. 2
    Multiply numerators and denominators: (2 ร— 5)/(4 ร— 11)
    (2 ร— 5)
    (4 ร— 11)
  3. 3
    Calculate the result: 10/44
    10
    44
  4. 4
    Simplify the result: 5/22
    5
    22

โž— Dividing Fractions

Example

1
2
รท
4
6

Answer:

3
4

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Write the fractions: 1/2 รท 4/6
    1
    2
    รท
    4
    6
  2. 2
    Change division to multiplication by reciprocal: 1/2 ร— 6/4
    1
    2
    ร—
    6
    4
  3. 3
    Multiply numerators and denominators: (1 ร— 6)/(2 ร— 4)
    (1 ร— 6)
    (2 ร— 4)
  4. 4
    Calculate the result: 6/8
    6
    8
  5. 5
    Simplify the result: 3/4
    3
    4

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