First, convert all the fractions so that they have like denominators, using LCM, or Least Common Multiple. This means that you must find the least common multiple that the two denominators share, which in this case is 6. 6 will become the denominator for both fractions At this point, to find the numerators, I use my own sort of mental method to get the answer. I first take the LCM and divide it by the denominator of one of the fractions (let's do 1/3) which would give me 2. Then multiply this number by the numerator of the same fraction you started with, which is 2 again. So, your new fraction is 2/6. Since 5/6 already has a denominator of 6, you don't have to do anything, but if it did, you would just repeat the same method. At this point, the new problem is 5/6 + 2/6. Add like normal, and leave in either improper form (7/6) or mixed numbers (1 1/6) based on instructions.

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4 years ago