How to Break Fractions and Mixed Numbers Apart to Add or Subtract
When you're dealing with fractions and mixed numbers, it's often useful to break them apart to simplify the process of adding or subtracting.
A Step-by-step Guide to Breaking Fractions and Mixed Numbers Apart to Add or Subtract
Here’s a step-by-step guide to breaking down fractions and mixed numbers to add or subtract:
Step 1: Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions
A mixed number is a whole number combined with a fraction. To convert it into an improper fraction:
- Multiply the whole number by the denominator of the fraction.
- Add the numerator of the fraction to that product.
- The result is your new numerator, with the denominator staying the same.
For example, let’s convert the mixed number \(2 \frac{3}{4}\) to an improper fraction:
- Multiply 2 (the whole number) by 4 (the denominator): 2 * 4 = 8
- Add 3 (the numerator): \(8 + 3 = 11\)
- So, \(2 \frac{3}{4}\) as an improper fraction is \( \frac{11}{4}\).
The Absolute Best Book for 4th Grade Students
Step 2: Make sure the fractions have a common denominator
If the fractions have different denominators, you’ll need to find the least common denominator (LCD). Multiply the numerator and denominator of each fraction by whatever number will make the denominator equal to the LCD.
For example, if you’re adding \( \frac{1}{2}\) and \( \frac{2}{3}\), the LCD is 6. Multiply the numerator and denominator of \( \frac{1}{2}\) by 3 to get \( \frac{3}{6}\), and multiply the numerator and denominator of \( \frac{2}{3}\) by 2 to get \( \frac{4}{6}\).
The Best Math Books for Elementary Students
Related to This Article
More math articles
- Frequency Charts: How to Understanding Trends
- How to Use Strip Models to Identify Equivalent Expressions?
- Top 10 5th Grade MCAS Math Practice Questions
- 8 Useful Tips on Learning Mathematics Effectively
- 4th Grade Georgia Milestones Assessment System Math FREE Sample Practice Questions
- DAT Quantitative Reasoning Math Worksheets: FREE & Printable
- How to Find Domain and Range of Relations
- Top 10 Tips to Overcome CLEP College Algebra Anxiety
- Definition and Properties of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
- A Complete Explanation of the Continuity over an Interval
What people say about "How to Break Fractions and Mixed Numbers Apart to Add or Subtract - Effortless Math: We Help Students Learn to LOVE Mathematics"?
No one replied yet.