Steps
What is the first step when solving adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators?
Circle the denominators and then skip count to find the LCM.
2 1
____ + ____ =
3 4
11
___
12
2 10
____ = ___
3
15
3 2
2 ____ + ___ =
4 3
41
____. or. 3 5/12
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?
Create equivalent fractions with like denominators.
3 2
____ + ___ =
4 3
17
___. or 1 5/12
12
2 12
____ = ___
6
36
1 5
2 ____ + ___ =
4 6
74
______. or 4 2/24. or. 4 1/12
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
____. 1 11/20
20
7 14
____ = ___
12
24
1 4
3 ____ + ___ =
4 5
81
____. or 4 1/20
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).
3 5
____ + ___ =
4 12
14
_____. or 1 2/12. or 1 1/6
12
4 16
____ = ___
5
20
1 4
3 ____ - ___ =
5 6
76
____. or 2 16/30. or 2 8/15
30
Do you subtract denominators?
NO!
2 1
____ + ___ =
5 3
8
_____
15
5 30
____ = ___
7
42
2 2
4 ____ - 3 ___ =
6 3
4/6 or 2/3
What is a common denominator?
When your denominators are the same value.