Steps
What is the first step when solving adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators?
list the multiples of the denominators
2 1
____ + ____ =
3 4
11
___
12
1 1
____ - ___ =
3 4
1
___
12
3 2
2 ____ + ___ =
4 3
41
____
12
What is a denominator?
The number below the line in a fraction.
What is the second step when adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators?
find the common multiple and create equivalent fractions with like denominators.
3 2
____ + ___ =
4 3
17
___
12
2 1
____ - ___ =
3 5
7
__
15
1 5
2 ____ + ___ =
4 6
74
______
24
What is a numerator?
The number above the line in a fraction.
What is the third step when adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators?
Add fractions with like denominators.
4 3
____ + ___ =
5 4
31
____
20
1 1
____ - ___ =
2 5
3
__
10
1 4
3 ____ + ___ =
4 5
81
____
20
What does equivalent mean?
Equal in value or the same in value.
What is the fourth step when adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators?
Simplify the fraction (If Needed).
6 5
____ + ___ =
7 6
71
_____
42
4 2
____ - ___ =
5 3
2
___
15
1 4
3 ____ - ___ =
5 6
76
____
30
What does simplify mean?
To reduce a fraction to it's simplest form.
What is 4/6 simplified?
2/3
5 7
____ + ___ =
7 8
89
_____
56
5 1
____ - ___ =
7 3
8
___
21
2 2
4 ____ - 3 ___ =
6 3
12 2
_____ = _____
18 3
What is a common denominator?
a shared multiple of the denominators