Steps
What is the first step when solving adding and subtracting MIXED numbers with unlike denominators?
Separate fraction from whole number
2 1
____ + ____ =
3 4
11
___
12
1 1
____ - ___ =
3 4
1
___
12
3 2
2 ____ + ___ =
4 3
41
____ or 3 5/12
12
What is a denominator?
The number below the bar line in a fraction.
What is the second step when adding and subtracting mixed numbers with unlike denominators?
Find the LCD.
Create equivalent fractions with like denominators.
3 2
____ + ___ =
4 3
17
___ or 1 5/12
12
2 1
____ - ___ =
3 5
7/15
1 5
2 ____ + ___ =
4 6
74
______ or 3 1/12
24
What is a numerator?
The number above the bar line in a fraction.
What is the third step when adding and subtracting mixed numbers with unlike denominators?
Add or subtract the numerators, keeping the denominator the same.
4 3
____ + ___ =
5 4
31
____ or 1 11/20
20
1 1
____ - ___ =
2 5
3/10
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 final step when adding and subtracting mixed numbers with unlike denominators?
Add the whole numbers
6 5
____ + ___ =
7 6
71
_____
42
4 2
____ - ___ =
5 3
2
___
15
1 4
3 ____ - ___ =
5 6
76
____ or 2 8/15
30
What does simplify mean?
To reduce a fraction to it's simplest form. This can mean shrinking the values of the numerator and denominator by an EQUAL AMOUNT, or converting an improper fraction in to a mixed number.
What is 17/4 simplified?
4 1/4
5 7
____ + ___ =
7 8
89
_____ or 1 33/56
56
5 1
____ - ___ =
7 3
8
___
21
2 2
4 ____ - 3 ___ =
6 3
12 2
_____ or _____
18 3
What is a common denominator?
The Lowest Common Multiple between the denominators in the question.