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Add and Subtract Fractions with Common Denominators
Model fraction addition
Model Fraction Addition
How many quarters are pictured? One quarter plus \(2\) quarters equals \(3\) quarters.
Remember, quarters are really fractions of a dollar. Quarters are another way to say fourths. So the picture of the coins shows that
\[\begin{array}{lllll}\frac{1}{4} & & \frac{2}{4} & & \frac{3}{4} \\ \text{one quarter} & + & \text{two quarters} & = & \text{three quarters}\end{array}\]Let’s use fraction circles to model the same example, \(\frac{1}{4}+\frac{2}{4}.\)
| Start with one \(\frac{1}{4}\) piece. | ||
| Add two more \(\frac{1}{4}\)pieces. | ||
| The result is \(\frac{3}{4}\). |
So again, we see that
\[\frac{1}{4}+\frac{2}{4}=\frac{3}{4}\]Example
Try it.
Use a model to find the sum \(\frac{3}{8}+\frac{2}{8}.\)
Solution
| Start with three \(\frac{1}{8}\) pieces. | ||
| Add two \(\frac{1}{8}\)pieces. | ||
| How many \(\frac{1}{8}\)pieces are there? |
There are five \(\frac{1}{8}\) pieces, or five-eighths. The model shows that \(\frac{3}{8}+\frac{2}{8}=\frac{5}{8}.\)
Add Fractions with a Common Denominator
shows that to add the same-size pieces, meaning that the fractions have the same denominator, we just add the number of pieces.
Example
Try it.
Find the sum: \(\frac{3}{5}+\frac{1}{5}.\)
Solution
| \(\frac{3}{5}+\frac{1}{5}\) | |
| Add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator. | \(\frac{3+1}{5}\) |
| Simplify. | \(\frac{4}{5}\) |
Example
Try it.
Find the sum: \(\frac{x}{3}+\frac{2}{3}.\)
Solution
| \(\frac{x}{3}+\frac{2}{3}\) | |
| Add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator. | \(\frac{x+2}{3}\) |
Note that we cannot simplify this fraction any more. Since \(x\) and \(2\) are not like terms, we cannot combine them.
Example
Try it.
Find the sum: \(-\frac{9}{d}+\frac{3}{d}.\)
Solution
We will begin by rewriting the first fraction with the negative sign in the numerator.
\(-\frac{a}{b}=\frac{-a}{b}\)
| \(-\frac{9}{d}+\frac{3}{d}\) | |
| Rewrite the first fraction with the negative in the numerator. | \(\frac{-9}{d}+\frac{3}{d}\) |
| Add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator. | \(\frac{-9+3}{d}\) |
| Simplify the numerator. | \(\frac{-6}{d}\) |
| Rewrite with negative sign in front of the fraction. | \(-\frac{6}{d}\) |
Example
Try it.
Find the sum: \(\frac{2n}{11}+\frac{5n}{11}.\)
Solution
| \(\frac{2n}{11}+\frac{5n}{11}\) | |
| Add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator. | \(\frac{2n+5n}{11}\) |
| Combine like terms. | \(\frac{7n}{11}\) |
Example
Try it.
Find the sum: \(-\frac{3}{12}+(-\frac{5}{12}).\)
Solution
| \(-\frac{3}{12}+(-\frac{5}{12})\) | |
| Add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator. | \(\frac{-3+(-5)}{12}\) |
| Add. | \(\frac{-8}{12}\) |
| Simplify the fraction. | \(-\frac{2}{3}\) |
Model Fraction Subtraction
Subtracting two fractions with common denominators is much like adding fractions. Think of a pizza that was cut into \(12\) slices. Suppose five pieces are eaten for dinner. This means that, after dinner, there are seven pieces (or \(\frac{7}{12}\) of the pizza) left in the box. If Leonardo eats \(2\) of these remaining pieces (or \(\frac{2}{12}\) of the pizza), how much is left? There would be \(5\) pieces left (or \(\frac{5}{12}\) of the pizza).
\[\frac{7}{12}-\frac{2}{12}=\frac{5}{12}\]Let’s use fraction circles to model the same example, \(\frac{7}{12}-\frac{2}{12}.\)
Start with seven \(\frac{1}{12}\) pieces. Take away two \(\frac{1}{12}\) pieces. How many twelfths are left?
Again, we have five twelfths, \(\frac{5}{12}.\)
Example
Try it.
Use fraction circles to find the difference: \(\frac{4}{5}-\frac{1}{5}.\)
Solution
Start with four \(\frac{1}{5}\) pieces. Take away one \(\frac{1}{5}\) piece. Count how many fifths are left. There are three \(\frac{1}{5}\) pieces left.
Subtract Fractions with a Common Denominator
We subtract fractions with a common denominator in much the same way as we add fractions with a common denominator.
Example
Try it.
Find the difference: \(\frac{23}{24}-\frac{14}{24}.\)
Solution
| \(\frac{23}{24}-\frac{14}{24}\) | |
| Subtract the numerators and place the difference over the common denominator. | \(\frac{23-14}{24}\) |
| Simplify the numerator. | \(\frac{9}{24}\) |
| Simplify the fraction by removing common factors. | \(\frac{3}{8}\) |
Example
Try it.
Find the difference: \(\frac{y}{6}-\frac{1}{6}.\)
Solution
| \(\frac{y}{6}-\frac{1}{6}\) | |
| Subtract the numerators and place the difference over the common denominator. | \(\frac{y-1}{6}\) |
The fraction is simplified because we cannot combine the terms in the numerator.
Example
Try it.
Find the difference: \(-\frac{10}{x}-\frac{4}{x}.\)
Solution
Remember, the fraction \(-\frac{10}{x}\) can be written as \(\frac{-10}{x}.\)
| \(-\frac{10}{x}-\frac{4}{x}\) | |
| Subtract the numerators. | \(\frac{-10-4}{x}\) |
| Simplify. | \(\frac{-14}{x}\) |
| Rewrite with the negative sign in front of the fraction. | \(-\frac{14}{x}\) |
Now lets do an example that involves both addition and subtraction.
Example
Try it.
Simplify: \(\frac{3}{8}+(-\frac{5}{8})-\frac{1}{8}.\)
Solution
| \(\frac{3}{8}+(-\frac{5}{8})-\frac{1}{8}\) | |
| Combine the numerators over the common denominator. | \(\frac{3+(-5)-1}{8}\) |
| Simplify the numerator, working left to right. | \(\frac{-2-1}{8}\) |
| Subtract the terms in the numerator. | \(\frac{-3}{8}\) |
| Rewrite with the negative sign in front of the fraction. | \(-\frac{3}{8}\) |
Key Concepts
- Fraction Addition
- If \(a,b,\) and \(c\) are numbers where \(c\ne 0\), then \(\frac{a}{c}+\frac{b}{c}=\frac{a+b}{c}\).
- To add fractions, add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator.
- Fraction Subtraction
- If \(a,b,\) and \(c\) are numbers where \(c\ne 0\), then \(\frac{a}{c}-\frac{b}{c}=\frac{a-b}{c}\).
- To subtract fractions, subtract the numerators and place the difference over the common denominator.
Add and Subtract Fractions with Common Denominators
Model Fraction Addition
In the following exercises, use a model to add the fractions. Show a diagram to illustrate your model.
Try it.
\(\frac{2}{5}+\frac{1}{5}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{3}{10}+\frac{4}{10}\)
Solution
\(\frac{7}{10}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{1}{6}+\frac{3}{6}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{3}{8}+\frac{3}{8}\)
Solution
\(\frac{3}{4}\)
Add Fractions with a Common Denominator
In the following exercises, find each sum.
Try it.
\(\frac{4}{9}+\frac{1}{9}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{2}{9}+\frac{5}{9}\)
Solution
\(\frac{7}{9}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{6}{13}+\frac{7}{13}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{9}{15}+\frac{7}{15}\)
Solution
\(\frac{16}{15}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{x}{4}+\frac{3}{4}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{y}{3}+\frac{2}{3}\)
Solution
\(\frac{y+2}{3}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{7}{p}+\frac{9}{p}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{8}{q}+\frac{6}{q}\)
Solution
\(\frac{14}{q}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{8b}{9}+\frac{3b}{9}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{5a}{7}+\frac{4a}{7}\)
Solution
\(\frac{9a}{7}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{-12y}{8}+\frac{3y}{8}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{-11x}{5}+\frac{7x}{5}\)
Solution
\(\frac{-4x}{5}\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{1}{8}+(-\frac{3}{8})\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{1}{8}+(-\frac{5}{8})\)
Solution
\(-\frac{3}{4}\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{3}{16}+(-\frac{7}{16})\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{5}{16}+(-\frac{9}{16})\)
Solution
\(-\frac{7}{8}\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{8}{17}+\frac{15}{17}\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{9}{19}+\frac{17}{19}\)
Solution
\(\frac{8}{19}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{6}{13}+(-\frac{10}{13})+(-\frac{12}{13})\)
Try it.
\(\frac{5}{12}+(-\frac{7}{12})+(-\frac{11}{12})\)
Solution
\(-\frac{13}{12}\)
Model Fraction Subtraction
In the following exercises, use a model to subtract the fractions. Show a diagram to illustrate your model.
Try it.
\(\frac{5}{8}-\frac{2}{8}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{5}{6}-\frac{2}{6}\)
Solution
\(\frac{1}{2}\)
Subtract Fractions with a Common Denominator
In the following exercises, find the difference.
Try it.
\(\frac{4}{5}-\frac{1}{5}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{4}{5}-\frac{3}{5}\)
Solution
\(\frac{1}{5}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{11}{15}-\frac{7}{15}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{9}{13}-\frac{4}{13}\)
Solution
\(\frac{5}{13}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{11}{12}-\frac{5}{12}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{7}{12}-\frac{5}{12}\)
Solution
\(\frac{1}{6}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{4}{21}-\frac{19}{21}\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{8}{9}-\frac{16}{9}\)
Solution
\(-\frac{8}{3}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{y}{17}-\frac{9}{17}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{x}{19}-\frac{8}{19}\)
Solution
\(\frac{x-8}{19}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{5y}{8}-\frac{7}{8}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{11z}{13}-\frac{8}{13}\)
Solution
\(\frac{11z-8}{13}\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{8}{d}-\frac{3}{d}\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{7}{c}-\frac{7}{c}\)
Solution
\(-\frac{14}{c}\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{23}{u}-\frac{15}{u}\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{29}{v}-\frac{26}{v}\)
Solution
\(-\frac{55}{v}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{6c}{7}-\frac{5c}{7}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{12d}{11}-\frac{9d}{11}\)
Solution
\(\frac{3d}{11}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{-4r}{13}-\frac{5r}{13}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{-7s}{3}-\frac{7s}{3}\)
Solution
\(-\frac{14s}{3}\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{3}{5}-(-\frac{4}{5})\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{3}{7}-(-\frac{5}{7})\)
Solution
\(\frac{2}{7}\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{7}{9}-(-\frac{5}{9})\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{8}{11}-(-\frac{5}{11})\)
Solution
\(-\frac{3}{11}\)
Mixed Practice
In the following exercises, perform the indicated operation and write your answers in simplified form.
Try it.
\(-\frac{5}{18}\cdot \frac{9}{10}\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{3}{14}\cdot \frac{7}{12}\)
Solution
\(-\frac{1}{8}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{n}{5}-\frac{4}{5}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{6}{11}-\frac{s}{11}\)
Solution
\(\frac{6-s}{11}\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{7}{24}+\frac{2}{24}\)
Try it.
\(-\frac{5}{18}+\frac{1}{18}\)
Solution
\(-\frac{2}{9}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{8}{15}\div \frac{12}{5}\)
Try it.
\(\frac{7}{12}\div \frac{9}{28}\)
Solution
\(\frac{49}{27}\)
Condensed: the full section is in OpenStax Prealgebra 2e.
Teď ty. Žádný kalkulačka neurovná tento, ale jeho části jsou vypočítavé. Zkuste jeden níže, nebo zadejte svůj vlastní.
Praxe (40)
Zkuste každý z nich na papíře první. Odhalte odpověď na kontrolu; ověřené lze otevřít v řešiteli pro každý krok.
-
Simplify: \(2x+9+3x-4.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(5x+5\)
-
Draw a model of the fraction \(\frac{3}{4}.\)
-
Simplify: \(\frac{3+2}{6}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{5}{6}\)
-
Use a model to find the sum \(\frac{3}{8}+\frac{2}{8}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
Start with three \(\frac{1}{8}\) pieces. Add two \(\frac{1}{8}\)pieces. How many \(\frac{1}{8}\)pieces are there? There are five \(\frac{1}{8}\) pieces, or five-eighths. The model shows that \(\frac{3}{8}+\frac{2}{8}=\frac{5}{8}.\)
-
Use a model to find each sum. Show a diagram to illustrate your model.
\(\frac{1}{8}+\frac{4}{8}\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{5}{8}\)
-
Use a model to find each sum. Show a diagram to illustrate your model.
\(\frac{1}{6}+\frac{4}{6}\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{5}{6}\)
-
Find the sum: \(\frac{3}{5}+\frac{1}{5}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{3}{5}+\frac{1}{5}\) Add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator. \(\frac{3+1}{5}\) Simplify. \(\frac{4}{5}\) -
Find each sum: \(\frac{3}{6}+\frac{2}{6}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{5}{6}\)
-
Find each sum: \(\frac{3}{10}+\frac{7}{10}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
1
-
Find the sum: \(\frac{x}{3}+\frac{2}{3}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{x}{3}+\frac{2}{3}\) Add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator. \(\frac{x+2}{3}\) Note that we cannot simplify this fraction any more. Since \(x\) and \(2\) are not like terms, we cannot combine them.
-
Find the sum: \(\frac{x}{4}+\frac{3}{4}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{x+3}{4}\)
-
Find the sum: \(\frac{y}{8}+\frac{5}{8}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{y+5}{8}\)
-
Find the sum: \(-\frac{9}{d}+\frac{3}{d}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
We will begin by rewriting the first fraction with the negative sign in the numerator.
\(-\frac{a}{b}=\frac{-a}{b}\)
\(-\frac{9}{d}+\frac{3}{d}\) Rewrite the first fraction with the negative in the numerator. \(\frac{-9}{d}+\frac{3}{d}\) Add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator. \(\frac{-9+3}{d}\) Simplify the numerator. \(\frac{-6}{d}\) Rewrite with negative sign in front of the fraction. \(-\frac{6}{d}\) -
Find the sum: \(-\frac{7}{d}+\frac{8}{d}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{1}{d}\)
-
Find the sum: \(-\frac{6}{m}+\frac{9}{m}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{3}{m}\)
-
Find the sum: \(\frac{2n}{11}+\frac{5n}{11}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{2n}{11}+\frac{5n}{11}\) Add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator. \(\frac{2n+5n}{11}\) Combine like terms. \(\frac{7n}{11}\) -
Find the sum: \(\frac{3p}{8}+\frac{6p}{8}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{9p}{8}\)
-
Find the sum: \(\frac{2q}{5}+\frac{7q}{5}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{9q}{5}\)
-
Find the sum: \(-\frac{3}{12}+(-\frac{5}{12}).\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(-\frac{3}{12}+(-\frac{5}{12})\) Add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator. \(\frac{-3+(-5)}{12}\) Add. \(\frac{-8}{12}\) Simplify the fraction. \(-\frac{2}{3}\) -
Find each sum: \(-\frac{4}{15}+(-\frac{6}{15}).\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(-\frac{2}{3}\)
-
Find each sum: \(-\frac{5}{21}+(-\frac{9}{21}).\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(-\frac{2}{3}\)
-
Use fraction circles to find the difference: \(\frac{4}{5}-\frac{1}{5}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
Start with four \(\frac{1}{5}\) pieces. Take away one \(\frac{1}{5}\) piece. Count how many fifths are left. There are three \(\frac{1}{5}\) pieces left.
-
Use a model to find each difference. Show a diagram to illustrate your model.
\(\frac{7}{8}-\frac{4}{8}\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{3}{8}\), models may differ.
-
Use a model to find each difference. Show a diagram to illustrate your model.
\(\frac{5}{6}-\frac{4}{6}\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{1}{6}\), models may differ
-
Find the difference: \(\frac{23}{24}-\frac{14}{24}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{23}{24}-\frac{14}{24}\) Subtract the numerators and place the difference over the common denominator. \(\frac{23-14}{24}\) Simplify the numerator. \(\frac{9}{24}\) Simplify the fraction by removing common factors. \(\frac{3}{8}\) -
Find the difference: \(\frac{19}{28}-\frac{7}{28}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{3}{7}\)
-
Find the difference: \(\frac{27}{32}-\frac{11}{32}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{1}{2}\)
-
Find the difference: \(\frac{y}{6}-\frac{1}{6}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{y}{6}-\frac{1}{6}\) Subtract the numerators and place the difference over the common denominator. \(\frac{y-1}{6}\) The fraction is simplified because we cannot combine the terms in the numerator.
-
Find the difference: \(\frac{x}{7}-\frac{2}{7}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{x-2}{7}\)
-
Find the difference: \(\frac{y}{14}-\frac{13}{14}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{y-13}{14}\)
-
Find the difference: \(-\frac{10}{x}-\frac{4}{x}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
Remember, the fraction \(-\frac{10}{x}\) can be written as \(\frac{-10}{x}.\)
\(-\frac{10}{x}-\frac{4}{x}\) Subtract the numerators. \(\frac{-10-4}{x}\) Simplify. \(\frac{-14}{x}\) Rewrite with the negative sign in front of the fraction. \(-\frac{14}{x}\) -
Find the difference: \(-\frac{9}{x}-\frac{7}{x}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(-\frac{16}{x}\)
-
Find the difference: \(-\frac{17}{a}-\frac{5}{a}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(-\frac{22}{a}\)
-
Simplify: \(\frac{3}{8}+(-\frac{5}{8})-\frac{1}{8}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{3}{8}+(-\frac{5}{8})-\frac{1}{8}\) Combine the numerators over the common denominator. \(\frac{3+(-5)-1}{8}\) Simplify the numerator, working left to right. \(\frac{-2-1}{8}\) Subtract the terms in the numerator. \(\frac{-3}{8}\) Rewrite with the negative sign in front of the fraction. \(-\frac{3}{8}\) -
Simplify: \(\frac{2}{5}+(-\frac{4}{5})-\frac{3}{5}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
−1
-
Simplify: \(\frac{5}{9}+(-\frac{4}{9})-\frac{7}{9}.\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(-\frac{2}{3}\)
-
\(\frac{2}{5}+\frac{1}{5}\)
-
\(\frac{3}{10}+\frac{4}{10}\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{7}{10}\)
-
\(\frac{1}{6}+\frac{3}{6}\)
-
\(\frac{3}{8}+\frac{3}{8}\)
Odhalte odpověď
\(\frac{3}{4}\)
Volný účet přidává poznámky k každé lekci, záznam o tom, co jste dokončili, vaše vyřešené problémy na jednom místě, a doučování můžete požádat o tuto stránku. Matematika sama je otevřena pro každého, zaregistrované nebo ne.
Zaregistrovat se PřihlášeníZde použité symboly
Ťukněte na jakýkoliv symbol pro úplnou definici, obrázek a co každé písmeno v něm znamená.
Jak se: Add and Subtract Fractions with Common Denominators
- Model fraction addition
- Add fractions with a common denominator
- Model fraction subtraction
- Subtract fractions with a common denominator
- If
- To add fractions, add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator.
- If
- To subtract fractions, subtract the numerators and place the difference over the common denominator.
Otázky, které se lidé ptají
Why does the order of operations matter?
Because 2 + 3 × 4 would otherwise be two different numbers. The convention (brackets, exponents, multiplication and division, addition and subtraction) exists so every reader gets the same value from the same expression.
How do I check an arithmetic answer?
Estimate first (round every number and compute roughly), then compare. If the estimate and the exact answer disagree by more than a little, one of them is wrong. The solver shows every operation, so you can find which line went astray.
Why are fractions harder than decimals?
They are not harder, they are more exact: 1/3 is a precise number, 0.333 is an approximation. Fractions need a common denominator to add, which is the one extra step people trip on.
Části této stránky jsou přizpůsobeny z OpenStax Prealgebra 2e (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). Zkondenzovaný a znovu-vysvětlený zde; chyby jsou naše. Protože je jeho zdroj licencovaný pro nekomerční použití, je tato lekce zdarma, neprodává nic a je sdílena pod stejnou licencí.