2. Remember that given a fraction, such as , the top number is the numerator
(namely 1) and the bottom number is the denominator (namely 2)
Example 1:
Whenever you add fractions with unlike denominators, you need to make the
denominators equal to each other by finding the least common denominator. In
this example, you need to multiply by 5 to get . Next, you need to multiply the
second equation by 4 to get . Note that both fractions now have a common
denominator. Add in the same manner as with the unit
Adding fractions with like denominators.
Example 2:
Whenever you add fractions with unlike denominators, you must make the
denominators of the same value. In this example, the easiest approach is to
multiply 8 x 3 to get 24. Here, you multiply by 3 to get . Then you multiply the
second equation by 8 to get . Note that both addends have 24 as a
denominator. Add in the same manner as with the unit
Adding fractions with like denominators.