UNLOCK YOUR CHILD'S
POTENTIAL AND CREATIVITY
WITH A FREE TRIAL CLASS
DEVELOP TECHNICAL, SOFT, &
ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS
AGE 7-16 YEARS
CLAIM YOUR $10 ROBLOX/AMAZON/MINECRAFT GIFT
CARD BY ATTENDING A FREE TRIAL CLASS
BOOK A FREE TRIAL
Select Your Subject of Choice

    Please enter name

    Please enter email


    Existing knowledge in the chosen stream

    *No credit card required.

    How to Add Fractions – 3 Simple Steps

    |

    Adding fractions might sound tricky at first, but with a little help, it can become as easy as pie – or pizza slices! In this blog, we’ll learn how to add fractions step by step, with simple explanations, real-life examples, and fun activities to make learning enjoyable. Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

    What Are Fractions?

    What Are Fractions?

    Now, before directly jumping on how to add fractions, first you should know what is fraction, right? Fractions represent parts of a whole. Just imagine you are sharing a chocolate bar with your friends: if you split it into 4 equal pieces and take 1, you’ve got 1/4 of the chocolate! Fractions are written as numerator (the top number) and denominator (the bottom number).

    Types of Fractions

    1. Proper Fractions: Proper Fractions are the type of fractions where the numerator is smaller than the denominator (e.g., 3/4).
    2. Improper Fractions: In this type of fraction, the numerator is larger than the denominator (e.g., 7/5).
    3. Mixed Fractions: In Mixed fractions, a whole number and a fraction is combined (e.g., 2 1/3).

    Did you know the word “fraction” comes from the Latin word “fractio,” which means “to break”? It’s all about breaking a whole into parts!

    Steps to Add Fractions

    Let’s dive into the three simple steps to add fractions:

    Step 1: Same Denominator? Add the Numerators!

    When the denominators (bottom numbers) are the same, you can directly add the numerators (top numbers). For example: 

    Math Example
    1/4 + 2/4 = (1+2)/4 = 3/4

    Step 2: Different Denominators? Find the LCM First.

    If the denominators are different, find the Least Common Multiple (LCM) to make them the same.

    Example:
    1/3
    +
    1/6

    1. Find the LCM of 3 and 6: LCM = 6. ( How to find LCM )

    2. Rewrite fractions: But how do we do that? Let’s break this down step by step. 

    • Imagine you and a friend each have cakes, but the slices are of different sizes. To combine them, you need to make the slices the same size first.
    • The LCM of 3 and 6 is 6, so we’ll change the fractions. For 1/3, we multiply both the top and bottom by 2 to get 2/6. Now both fractions have the same denominator, 6. So, rewritten fractions are:- 2/6 and 1/6.

    3. Add the fractions: 2/6 + 1/6 = 3/6.

    4. Finally, simplify: 3/6 can be reduced to 1/2 (divide the top and bottom by 3).

    Think of fractions as slices of cakes. The cake sizes must match before you combine slices!

    Step 3: Simplify Your Answer

    Reduce the fraction to its simplest form by dividing the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD). For example: 

    4/8 = 1/2

    (Divide both 4 and 8 by 4).

    A Rhyme To Help You Remember

    ♫ "When adding or subtracting, make the bottoms the same,
    Adjust them with multiply or divide, it’s part of the game."

    ♫ "Match the top, then add or take away,
    Simplify at the end, that’s the way!"

    How to Add Mixed Fractions?

    Now we have understood how to add proper and improper fractions. But adding mixed fractions involves different steps. Mixed fractions have whole numbers and fractions, but don’t worry – the process is just as simple:

    Step 1: Convert the mixed fractions to improper fractions

    When you have a mixed fraction (e.g., 1 3/4), convert it into an improper fraction to make adding easier. Here’s how you do it–

    • Multiply the whole number by the denominator (1 × 4 = 4).
    • Add the numerator (4 + 3 = 7).
    • Keep the denominator (7/4).
    Convert Mixed Fractions to Improper Fractions

    Image source: Central Bucks School District

    Step 2: Add them like regular fractions

    • Now, add 5/4 to the improper fraction 7/4, which we got from converting the mixed fraction 1 3/4.
    • Add them like a regular fraction and simplify it: 7/4 + 5/4 = 12/4 = 3.

    Step 3: Convert back to mixed fractions if needed

    • If the answer is an improper fraction, divide the numerator by the denominator to get the whole number part.
    • Write any remainder as a fraction to form the mixed number.

    “Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations, or algorithms: it is about understanding.”

    – William Paul Thurston

    Want to challenge yourself ? Take this Fraction Quiz

    Do’s and Don’ts for Adding Fractions 

    Do's Don'ts
    Find the LCM for different denominators. Don’t forget to find the LCM.
    Simplify the final fraction. Don’t leave fractions unsimplified.
    Properly separate whole numbers and fractions before adding. Don’t mix whole numbers and fractions improperly.
    Check your work for accuracy. Don’t rush through the steps.

    Real-Life Applications of Adding Fractions

    • Cooking: Scaling recipes (e.g., 1/2 cup + 1/4 cup = 3/4 cup).
    • Sharing: Dividing candy or pizza slices.
    • Budgeting: Splitting bills with friends.

    Quiz Time: Practice Adding Fractions!

    Q1: What is 1/4 + 2/4?

    A) 3/4

    B) 1/2

    C) 1/4

    D) 5/4

    Q2: You and your friend ordered a pizza and ate 1/3 of it each. How much of the pizza did you eat together?

    A) 1/3

    B) 1/2

    C) 2/3

    D) 2/6

    Q3: Simplify 7/4 + 2/4.

    A) 3/2

    B) 1/2

    C) 9/4

    D) 5/4

    Q4: If you have 3/5 of a chocolate bar and your friend gives you 1/5 more, how much chocolate do you have now?

    A) 4/5

    B) 1/5

    C) 3/5

    D) 1

    Q5: Convert and add 1 1/2 + 2 1/3.

    A) 3 5/6

    B) 3 3/4

    C) 2 1/2

    D) 4 1/3

    Q6: You have 1/4 of a cake, and your sister has 1/3 of the same type of cake. If you combine your slices, what fraction of the cake do you have altogether?

    A) 1/12

    B) 1/2

    C) 7/12

    D) 5/12

    Q7: What is the simplified form of 8/12?

    A) 2/3

    B) 4/6

    C) 1/2

    D) 8/12

    Q8: What is 5/8 + 1/8?

    A) 6/8

    B) 1/2

    C) 5/8

    D) 7/8

    Ans1: A) 3/4

    Ans2: C) 2/3

    Ans3: C) 9/4

    Ans4: A) 4/5

    Ans5: A) 3 5/6

    Ans6: C) 7/12

    Ans7: A) 2/3

    Ans8: A) 6/8

    CONCLUSION

    Boy Won in Quiz

    Adding fractions doesn’t have to be difficult! By following these steps and practicing regularly, you’ll become a fraction pro in no time. Remember, math is all about practice and understanding.

    “Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.” 
    – Albert Einstein

    Want to excite your child about math and sharpen their math skills? Moonpreneur’s online math curriculum is unique as it helps children understand math skills through hands-on lessons, assists them in building real-life applications, and excites them to learn math. 

    You can opt for our Advanced Math or Vedic Math+Mental Math courses. Our Math Quiz for grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th helps in further exciting and engaging in mathematics with hands-on lessons.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: What is the first step to adding fractions with different denominators?

    Find the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of the denominators and rewrite the fractions with the same denominator.

    Q: How do I simplify a fraction?

    Simplify a fraction by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD).

    Q: Why is finding the LCM important in adding fractions?

    The LCM ensures the fractions have the same denominator, making it possible to add them accurately.

    Q: What is the difference between proper and improper fractions?

    A proper fraction has a smaller numerator than the denominator (e.g., 3/4), while an improper fraction has a larger or equal numerator (e.g., 5/4).

    Q: How do I convert a mixed fraction to an improper fraction?

    Multiply the whole number by the denominator, add the numerator, and place the result over the original denominator. For example, 2 1/3 becomes (2×3 + 1)/3 = 7/3.
    Moonpreneur

    Moonpreneur

    Moonpreneur is an ed-tech company that imparts tech entrepreneurship to children aged 6 to 15. Its flagship offering, the Innovator Program, offers students a holistic learning experience that blends Technical Skills, Power Skills, and Entrepreneurial Skills with streams such as Robotics, Game Development, App Development, Advanced Math, Scratch Coding, and Book Writing & Publishing.
    Subscribe
    Notify of
    guest

    0 Comments
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments

    RELATED ARTICALS

    Explore by Category

    MOST POPULAR

    GIVE A GIFT OF $10
    MINECRAFT GIFT
    TO YOUR CHILD

    JOIN A FREE TRIAL CLASS

    FREE PRINTABLE MATH WORKSHEETS

    DOWNLOAD 3rd GRADE MATH WORKSHEET
    Download Now

    DOWNLOAD 4rd GRADE MATH WORKSHEET
    Download Now

    DOWNLOAD 5rd GRADE MATH WORKSHEET
    Download Now

    DOWNLOAD 4rd GRADE MATH WORKSHEET
    Download Now

    MATH QUIZ FOR KIDS - TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

    MATH QUIZ FOR GRADE 3

    Start The Quiz

    MATH QUIZ FOR GRADE 4

    Start The Quiz

    MATH QUIZ FOR GRADE 5

    Start The Quiz

    MATH QUIZ FOR GRADE 6

    Start The Quiz