Adding Fractions

How to Add Fractions

The steps for adding fractions can be very easy if the problem is set up properly. The fraction worksheets on this page have examples of problems that illustrate increasing levels of difficulty to build the skills needed to tackle any kind of fraction addition problem.

In the simplest cases, the two fractions will already have a common denominator. In this case, add the numerators and then reduce the resulting fraction.

If the answer's numerator is greater than the denominator, then the answer is an improper fraction. This fraction should be turned into a proper fraction by taking wholes out of the numerator until the numerator is less than the denominator.

When adding fractions without a common denominator, it is necessary to find a common denominator before adding the numerators. Find two equivalent fractions by determining the least common multiple of the two denominators and using that as the denominator for both fractions.

These steps sound more complicated than they seem, but a very good way to visualize the process of adding fractions is to use the fraction calculator at the link below.