Everything is all fun and games in maths until the kids are introduced to fractions. These are the first concept of maths which the kids take as rather difficult. But in reality, doing fractions is quite easy. In this article, we are going to focus on how to add or subtract using fractions. I am sure we are aware that the figure above the bar is called the “Numerator” and the number below the bar is called as the “Denominator”


 

Adding or Subtracting Fractions with the Same Denominator

When we add fractions having the same denominator, the denominator remains the same, while the numerator is changed.

For example,

5/9 + 2/9 = 7/9

As evident from the above example, we just add the numerators while the denominator remains the same.

Let’s have a look at how to subtract fractions with the same denominator.

7/9 – 5/9

=2/9

Adding or Subtracting Fractions with Different Denominators

When the denominators are different, we convert the fractions in a manner that the denominator becomes the same.

For example,

1/3 + 7/4

= 4/12 + 21/12

=25/12

In this example, we have simply found a common multiple for both the denominators and have multiplied the fraction with that number.

Subtraction with different denominators is also done in a similar manner.

7/4 – 1/3

= 21/12 – 4/12

= 17/12

 

Simple as that. And as for another example given below we can see how can one solve fraction problems related to division in such an easy way :

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