How to add fractions

 

A: Firstly to add fractions the denominators have to be the same.

For example, 3/7 + 2/3

firstly you need to work out the lcm of 7 and 3, in this case it is 21.

So each fraction needs to be put into the form a/21 + b/21

For the fraction 3/7, you are timsing the 7 by 3  to get 21, so you also need to times the numerator by leaving you with 9/21 which = 3/7 

Then starting with 2/3, to get a denominator of 21, you need to times 3 by 7, so you also need to times the numerator by leaving you with 14/21 which =2/3

Finally to add the 2 fractions 9/21 + 14/21 = 23/21

Other examples for you to try..

1) 3/5 + 2/3

2) 3/5 + 6/20

 

JL
Answered by Jennifer L. Maths tutor

5147 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Solve this simultaneous equation: 2 + 5y = 3x, x + y = 6


If m=a^x, n=a^y, and a^2 =(m^y n^x)^z Show xyz=1.


There are "n" sweets in a bag, six are orange and the rest are yellow. If you take a random sweet from the bag and eat it. Then take at random another one and eat it. The probability of eating two orange sweets is 1/3. Show that n²-n-90=0.


simplify 4p^3 x 3p^4


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning