Question

How are equivalent fractions used in writing a sum of two like fractions in simplest form

Answer 1

If you have two equivalent fraction and you want to add them it depends on if they have the same denominator if they don't you find the common denominator then how much it can go in the denominator you times it by the numerator and if then answer that you get can be reduced you reduce it.

Answer 2

Answer: Explained.

Step-by-step explanation: We are told to explain the use of equivalent fractions in writing a sum of two like fractions.

We know the definitions of equivalent fractions and like fractions.

Equivalent fractions are those which are exactly the same except some common multiplier is there to both numerator and denominator. For example 3/5 and 9/15 are equivalent fractions.

Like fractions are those which have exactly the same denominator but different numerators. For example, 3/5 and 4/5 are like fractions.

While writing the sum of two like fractions, we used equivalent fractions as follows

$\dfrac{2}{5}+\dfrac{3}{4}\\\\=\dfrac{2}{5}\times \dfrac{4}{4}+\dfrac{3}{4}\times \dfrac{5}{5}\\\\=\dfrac{8}{20}+\dfrac{15}{20}\\\\=\dfrac{8+15}{20}\\\\=\dfrac{23}{20}.$

Thus, equivalent fractions helps a lot in adding two like fractions.