Rule 2 − Adding and Subtracting Fractions: when the denominators are different
Adding − There are four steps
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Example 2.1. 5/6 + 2/3 =
(a) Multiply the top and bottom of the first fraction by the second denominator.
(b) Multiply the top and bottom of the second fraction by the first denominator
(c) add the numerators
= 27/18
(d) write fraction in its simplest form
= 3/2 = 1 1/2
Subtracting − There are four steps
-
Example 2.2. 5/6 − 2/3 =
(a) Multiply the top and bottom of the first fraction by the second denominator.
(b) Multiply the top and bottom of the second fraction by the first denominator
(c) subtract the numerators
= 3/18
(d) write fraction in its simplest form
= 1/6
back to Rule 1 Fractions - add subtract when denominator is same
to Rule 3 Fractions - multiply
