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How to Solve Fractions

Learn to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions.

๐Ÿ“ Step by Step

  1. 1 To add or subtract fractions, first find a common denominator (least common multiple of denominators).
  2. 2 Convert each fraction by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the appropriate number to get the common denominator.
  3. 3 Add or subtract the numerators, keeping the common denominator.
  4. 4 Simplify the result if possible by dividing the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor.

Examples by Operation Type

โž• Adding Fractions

Example

7
9
+
8
9

Answer:

1 
2
3

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Fractions have the same denominator: 7/9 + 8/9
    7
    9
    +
    8
    9
  2. 2
    Add the numerators: (7 + 8)/9
    (7 + 8)
    9
  3. 3
    Calculate the result: 15/9
    15
    9
  4. 4
    Convert to mixed number: 1 2/3
    1 
    2
    3

โž– Subtracting Fractions

Example

10
16
-
4
14

Answer:

19
56

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Find common denominator (LCM): LCM(16, 14) = 112
  2. 2
    Convert fractions to common denominator: 10/16 = 70/112, 4/14 = 32/112
    10
    16
    โˆ’
    4
    14
  3. 3
    Subtract the numerators: 70/112 - 32/112 = 38/112
    70
    112
    โˆ’
    32
    112
    =
    38
    112
  4. 4
    Simplify the result: 19/56
    19
    56

โœ–๏ธ Multiplying Fractions

Example

4
8
ร—
1
9

Answer:

1
18

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Write the fractions: 4/8 ร— 1/9
    4
    8
    ร—
    1
    9
  2. 2
    Multiply numerators and denominators: (4 ร— 1)/(8 ร— 9)
    (4 ร— 1)
    (8 ร— 9)
  3. 3
    Calculate the result: 4/72
    4
    72
  4. 4
    Simplify the result: 1/18
    1
    18

โž— Dividing Fractions

Example

3
8
รท
2
3

Answer:

9
16

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Write the fractions: 3/8 รท 2/3
    3
    8
    รท
    2
    3
  2. 2
    Change division to multiplication by reciprocal: 3/8 ร— 3/2
    3
    8
    ร—
    3
    2
  3. 3
    Multiply numerators and denominators: (3 ร— 3)/(8 ร— 2)
    (3 ร— 3)
    (8 ร— 2)
  4. 4
    Calculate the result: 9/16
    9
    16

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