Adding and Subtracting Fractions

A fraction represents a part of a whole and consists of a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number).

Adding fractions means combining the parts represented by the fractions to find a total.

Subtracting fractions means finding the difference between the parts represented by the fractions.

Add the numerators and keep the same denominator. For example, 1/4 + 2/4 = (1+2)/4 = 3/4.

Find a common denominator, convert the fractions, then add the numerators. For example, 1/2 + 1/3 = 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6.

Subtract the numerators and keep the same denominator. For example, 3/4 - 1/4 = (3-1)/4 = 2/4.

Find a common denominator, convert the fractions, then subtract the numerators. For example, 3/4 - 1/2 = 3/4 - 2/4 = 1/4.

A mixed number is a whole number combined with a fraction, such as 2 1/2.

Divide the numerator by the denominator. The quotient is the whole number, and the remainder is the new numerator over the original denominator.

Convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions before adding.