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
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 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 1
____ - ___ =
3 5
7
____
15
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
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 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 2
____ - ___ =
5 3
2
___
15
1 4
3 ____ - ___ =
5 6
76
____. or 2 16/30. or 2 8/15
30
What does simplify mean?
To reduce a fraction to it's simplest form.
2 1
____ + ___ =
5 3
8
_____
15
5 1
____ - ___ =
7 3
8
___
21
2 2
4 ____ - 3 ___ =
6 3
4/6 or 2/3
What is a common denominator?
When your denominators are the same value.