Question

So when you are adding fractions how do you know when you need to simplify the numbers and how do you simplify?

Answer 1

Let's look at an example.

We'll add the fractions 1/6 and 1/8

Before we can add, the denominators must be the same.

To get the denominators to be the same, we can...

• multiply top and bottom of 1/6 by 8 to get 8/48
• multiply top and bottom of 1/8 by 6 to get 6/48

At this point, both fractions involve the denominator 48. We can add the fractions like so

8/48  + 6/48 = (8+6)/48 = 14/48

Add the numerators while keeping the denominator the same the entire time.

The last step is to reduce if possible. In this case, we can reduce. This is because 14 and 48 have the factor 2 in common. Divide each part by 2.

• 14/2 = 7
• 48/2 = 24

The fraction 14/48 reduces to 7/24

Overall, 1/6 + 1/8 = 7/24