Question

How to add fractions with unlike denominators?

Answer 1

To add fractions with unlike denominators, you need to determine their common denominator.


Say you need to add 3/9 + 7/12.


3/9 and 7/12 have a common denominator of 36.


Here how you solve this:


3/9 = 12/36

7/12= 21/36


12/36 + 21/36 = 33/36 = 11/12

Answer 2

Change the fractions so they have common denominators. For example. If adding 4/8 + 2/3, a common denominator of the two could be 24. Change both fractions to have a denominator of 24. To do this:

(4/8)×(3/3)= 12/24
(2/3)×(8/8)=16/24

Now that both fractions have denominators of 24, you can simply add the numerators to get your answer. in this case, it would be 28/24