Adding fractions

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In order to access this I need to be confident with:

Adding integers

Equivalent fractions

Cancelling fractions

Mixed numbers and improper fractions

This topic is relevant for:

GCSE Maths Number FDP Fractions

Adding Fractions

Here we will learn about adding fractions including how to add fractions with the same denominators and with unlike denominators (different denominators) and how to add mixed numbers.

There are also fractions worksheets based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if you’re still stuck.

What is adding fractions?

Adding fractions is when we add two or more fractions together or when we calculate the total of several numbers written as fractions.
To do this the fractions must have a common denominator (bottom number). Then we can add the fractions by adding the numerators (top numbers).

The method for adding fractions can be modified to subtract fractions.

E.g.

How to add fractions

In order to add fractions:

Ensure the fractions have a common denominator.
Add the numerators (top numbers).
Write your answer as a fraction, making sure it is in its simplest form.

$Adding fractions worksheet$

Adding fractions worksheet

$Adding fractions worksheet$

Get your free adding fractions worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

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$Adding fractions worksheet$

Adding fractions worksheet

$Adding fractions worksheet$

Get your free adding fractions worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

DOWNLOAD FREE

Adding fractions examples

Example 1: adding fractions with a common denominator

Work out:

\[\frac{1}{5}+\frac{1}{5}\]

Ensure the fractions have a common denominator.

5 is the denominator for both fractions, so 5 is the common denominator.

2Add the numerators (top numbers).

\[\frac{1}{5}+\frac{1}{5}=\frac{1+1}{5}=\frac{2}{5}\]

3Write your answer as a fraction, making sure it is in its simplest form.

The final answer is

\[\frac{2}{5}\]

2 and 5 do not have a common factor so the fraction cannot be simplified. This fraction is in its simplest form.

Example 2: adding fractions with a common denominator

Work out:

\[\frac{1}{8}+\frac{5}{8}\]

Ensure the fractions have a common denominator.

8 is the denominator for both fractions, so 8 is the common denominator.

Add the numerators (top numbers).

\[\frac{1}{8}+\frac{5}{8}=\frac{1+5}{8}=\frac{6}{8}\]

Write your answer as a fraction, making sure it is in its simplest form.

The answer is

\[\frac{6}{8}\]

This fraction is not in its simplest form as it can be simplified.
Both 6 and 8 are multiples of 2, so 2 is a common factor and can be cancelled.

\[\frac{6}{8}=\frac{2\times3}{2\times4}=\frac{3}{4}\]

The final answer is

\[\frac{3}{4}\]

Example 3: adding fractions with different denominators

Work out:

\[\frac{1}{4}+\frac{2}{5}\]

Ensure the fractions have a common denominator.

4 is the denominator of the first fraction and 5 is the denominator of the second fraction. These fractions do not have a common denominator.

To be able to add the fractions they need to have a common denominator.

4 and 5 have a Lowest Common Multiple of 20, so we need to change both fractions so that they have a common denominator of 20.
(Lowest Common Multiple is sometimes called LCM or Least Common Multiple.)

\[\frac{1}{4}=\frac{1}{4}\times\frac{5}{5}=\frac{1\times5}{4\times5}=\frac{5}{20}\]

\[\frac{2}{5}=\frac{2}{5}\times\frac{4}{4}=\frac{2\times4}{5\times4}=\frac{8}{20}\]

We have converted fractions so that they have a common denominator and can now be added.

\[\frac{1}{4}+\frac{2}{5}=\frac{5}{20}+\frac{8}{20}\]

Add the numerators (top numbers).

\[\frac{5}{20}+\frac{8}{20}=\frac{5+8}{20}=\frac{13}{20}\]

Write your answer as a fraction, making sure it is in its simplest form.

The final answer is

\[\frac{13}{20}\]

13 and 20 do not have a common factor. The fraction cannot be simplified. This fraction is in its simplest form.

Alternatively, this question could have been solved by using decimals.

\[\frac{1}{4}+\frac{2}{5}=0.25+0.4=0.65=\frac{65}{100}=\frac{13}{20}\]

Example 4: adding fractions with different denominators

Work out:

\[\frac{5}{8}+\frac{1}{2}\]

Ensure the fractions have a common denominator.

8 is the denominator of the first fraction and 2 is the denominator of the second fraction. These fractions do not have a common denominator.

To be able to add the fractions they need to have a common denominator.

8 and 2 have a Lowest Common Multiple of 8, so we make sure that both fractions have a common denominator of 8.
(Lowest Common Multiple is sometimes called LCM or Least Common Multiple.)

\[\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{4}{4}=\frac{1\times4}{2\times4}=\frac{4}{8}\]

We have converted the fractions so that they have a common denominator and can now be added.

\[\frac{5}{8}+\frac{1}{2}=\frac{5}{8}+\frac{4}{8}\]

Add the numerators (top numbers).

\[\frac{5}{8}+\frac{4}{8}=\frac{5+4}{8}=\frac{9}{8}\]

Write your answer as a fraction, making sure it is in its simplest form.

The answer is

\[\frac{9}{8}\]

9 and 8 do not have a common factor to cancel. BUT – This fraction is an improper fraction.
It is usually expected that improper fractions are written as mixed numbers.

\[\frac{9}{8}=\frac{8+1}{8}=\frac{8}{8}+\frac{1}{8}=1+\frac{1}{8}=1\frac{1}{8}\]

The final answer is

\[1\frac{1}{8}\]

Alternatively, you could have chosen 16 as a common denominator and cancelled by the common factor of 2 to simplify.

\[\frac{5}{8}+\frac{1}{2}=\frac{10}{16}+\frac{8}{16}=\frac{10+8}{16}=\frac{18}{16}=\frac{2\times9}{2\times8}=\frac{9}{8}=1\frac{1}{8} \]

Example 5: adding mixed numbers

Work out:

\[2\frac{1}{2}+1\frac{1}{3}\]

Ensure the fractions have a common denominator.

As the values are mixed numbers it is a good idea to write them as improper fractions (where the numerator is larger than the denominator.)

\[2\frac{1}{2}=\frac{4}{2}+\frac{1}{2}=\frac{4+1}{2}=\frac{5}{2}\]

\[1\frac{1}{3}=\frac{3}{3}+\frac{1}{3}=\frac{3+1}{3}=\frac{4}{3}\]

So the question is

\[2\frac{1}{2}+1\frac{1}{3}=\frac{5}{2}+\frac{4}{3}\]

2 is the denominator of the first fraction and 3 is the denominator of the second fraction. These fractions do not have a common denominator.

To be able to add the fractions they need to have a common denominator.

2 and 3 have a Lowest Common Multiple of 6, so we change both fractions so that they have a common denominator of 6.

\[\frac{5}{2}=\frac{5}{2}\times\frac{3}{3}=\frac{5\times3}{2\times3}=\frac{15}{6}\]

\[\frac{4}{3}=\frac{4}{3}\times\frac{2}{2}=\frac{4\times2}{3\times2}=\frac{8}{6}\]

We have converted the fractions so that they have a common denominator and can now be added.

\[\frac{5}{2}+\frac{4}{3}=\frac{15}{6}+\frac{8}{6}\]

Add the numerators (top numbers).

\[\frac{15}{6}+\frac{8}{6}=\frac{15+8}{6}=\frac{23}{6}\]

Write your answer as a fraction, making sure it is in its simplest form.

The answer is

\[\frac{23}{6}\]

23 and 6 do not have a common factor to cancel. BUT – This fraction is an improper fraction.
It is usually expected that improper fractions are written as mixed numbers.

\[\frac{23}{6}=\frac{18+5}{6}=\frac{18}{6}+\frac{5}{6}=3+\frac{5}{6}=3\frac{5}{6}\]

The final answer is

\[3\frac{5}{6}\]

Alternatively, you could add the whole numbers together and then add the fractions together.

\[2\frac{1}{2}+1\frac{1}{3}\\ =2+\frac{1}{2}+1+\frac{1}{3}\\ =2+1+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{3}\\ =2+1+\frac{3}{6}+\frac{2}{6}\\ =3+\frac{5}{6}\\ =3\frac{5}{6}\]

Example 6: adding mixed numbers

Work out:

\[2\frac{3}{4}+1\frac{2}{5}\]

Ensure the fractions have a common denominator.

As the values are mixed numbers it is a good idea to write them as improper fractions (where the numerator is larger than the denominator.)

\[2\frac{3}{4}=\frac{8}{4}+\frac{3}{4}=\frac{8+3}{4}=\frac{11}{4}\]

\[1\frac{2}{5}=\frac{5}{5}+\frac{2}{5}=\frac{5+2}{5}=\frac{7}{5}\]

So the question is

\[2\frac{3}{4}+1\frac{2}{5}=\frac{11}{4}+\frac{7}{5}\]

4 is the denominator of the first fraction and 5 is the denominator of the second fraction. These fractions do not have a common denominator.

To be able to add the fractions they need to have a common denominator.

4 and 5 have a Lowest Common Multiple of 20, so we change both fractions so that they have a common denominator of 20.

\[\frac{11}{4}=\frac{11}{4}\times\frac{5}{5}=\frac{11\times5}{4\times5}=\frac{55}{20}\]

\[\frac{7}{5}=\frac{7}{5}\times\frac{4}{4}=\frac{7\times4}{5\times4}=\frac{28}{20}\]

We have converted the fractions so that they have a common denominator and can now be added.

\[\frac{11}{4}+\frac{7}{5}=\frac{55}{20}+\frac{28}{20}\]

Add the numerators (top numbers).

\[\frac{55}{20}+\frac{28}{20}=\frac{55+28}{20}=\frac{83}{20}\]

Write your answer as a fraction, making sure it is in its simplest form.

The answer is

\[\frac{83}{20}\]

83 and 20 do not have a common factor to cancel. BUT – This fraction is an improper fraction.
It is usually expected that improper fractions are written as mixed numbers.

\[\frac{83}{20}=\frac{80+3}{20}=\frac{80}{20}+\frac{3}{20}=4+\frac{3}{20}=4\frac{3}{20}\]

The final answer is

\[4\frac{3}{20}\]

Alternatively, you could add the whole numbers together and then add the fractions together.

\[2\frac{3}{4}+1\frac{2}{5}\\ =2+\frac{3}{4}+1+\frac{2}{5}\\ =2+1+\frac{3}{4}+\frac{2}{5}\\ =2+1+\frac{15}{20}+\frac{8}{20}\\ =3+\frac{15+8}{20}\\ =3+\frac{23}{20}\\ =3+1+\frac{3}{20}\\ =4\frac{3}{20}\]

Common misconceptions

To be able to add fractions they must have common denominators

When fractions are added together they must have the same denominator. If not, they must be converted to an equivalent fraction with a common denominator.

Adding the correct parts of the fraction together
When adding fractions with a common denominator we only add the numerators.

\[\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1+1}{2}=\frac{2}{2}=1\]

Adding fractions is part of our series of lessons to support revision on fractions. You may find it helpful to start with the main fractions lesson for a summary of what to expect, or use the step by step guides below for further detail on individual topics. Other lessons in this series include:

Fractions
Subtracting fractions
Adding and subtracting fractions
Multiplying fractions
Dividing fractions
Multiplying and dividing fractions (to come)
Equivalent fractions
Improper fractions and mixed numbers
Ordering fractions
Fractions of amounts

Practice adding fractions questions

\frac{7}{9}

\frac{7}{18}

\frac{8}{8}

\frac{11}{18}

\frac{3}{9}+\frac{4}{9}=\frac{3+4}{9}=\frac{7}{9}

\frac{8}{12}

\frac{8}{24}

\frac{1}{3}

\frac{2}{3}

\frac{5}{12}-\frac{3}{12}=\frac{5+3}{12}=\frac{8}{12}=\frac{2}{3}

\frac{4}{9}

\frac{17}{20}

\frac{4}{20}

\frac{19}{20}

\frac{3}{5}+\frac{1}{4}=\frac{12}{20}+\frac{5}{20}=\frac{12+5}{20}=\frac{17}{20}

\frac{4}{8}

\frac{14}{15}

\frac{4}{15}

\frac{11}{15}

\frac{3}{5}+\frac{1}{3}=\frac{9}{15}+\frac{5}{15}=\frac{9+5}{15}=\frac{14}{15}

1\frac{1}{2}

3\frac{13}{15}

1\frac{8}{15}

3\frac{9}{10}

2\frac{1}{2}+1\frac{2}{5} =\frac{5}{2}+\frac{7}{5} =\frac{25}{10}+\frac{14}{10} =\frac{25+14}{10} =\frac{39}{10} =3\frac{9}{10}

2\frac{11}{30}

2\frac{2}{11}

2\frac{7}{30}

1\frac{17}{30}

1\frac{1}{6}+1\frac{1}{5} =\frac{7}{6}+\frac{6}{5} =\frac{35}{30}+\frac{36}{30} =\frac{35+36}{30} =\frac{71}{30} =2\frac{11}{30}

Adding fractions GCSE questions

1. Work out:

\frac{5}{12}+\frac{1}{6}

(2 marks)

Show answer

$\frac{1}{6}=\frac{2}{12}$
For using a correct common denominator of 12 (or 36)

(1)

$\frac{5}{12}+\frac{2}{12}=\frac{7}{12}$
For the correct final answer

(1)

2. Calculate:

\frac{4}{5}+\frac{5}{7}

Give your answer as a mixed number in its simplest terms.

(3 marks)

Show answer

$\frac{4}{5}+\frac{5}{7}=\frac{28}{35}+\frac{25}{35}$
For writing fractions with a common denominator of 35

(1)

$\frac{28+25}{35}$
For adding the fractions

(1)

$\frac{53}{35}=1\frac{18}{35}$
For writing the final answer as a mixed number

(1)

3. Work out:

2\frac{1}{8}+1\frac{1}{3}

(2 marks)

Show answer

2\frac{1}{8}+1\frac{1}{3}=\frac{17}{8}+\frac{4}{3}=\frac{51}{24}+\frac{32}{24}

$2\frac{1}{8}+1\frac{1}{3}=2\frac{3}{24}+1\frac{8}{24}$
For a method to add fractions with a correct common denominator

(1)

\frac{51}{24}+\frac{32}{24}=\frac{83}{24}

$2\frac{3}{24}+1\frac{8}{24}=3\frac{11}{24}$
For the correct final answer

(1)

Learning checklist

You have now learned how to:

Add fractions with the same denominator
Add fractions with different denominators
Add mixed numbers

The next lessons are

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Introduction

What is adding fractions?

How to add fractions

Adding fractions worksheet

Adding fractions examples

Example 1: adding fractions with a common denominator Example 2: adding fractions with a common denominator Example 3: adding fractions with different denominators Example 4: adding fractions with different denominators Example 5: adding mixed numbers Example 6: adding mixed numbers

Common misconceptions

Related lessons

Practice adding fractions questions

Adding fractions GCSE questions

Learning checklist

Next lessons

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