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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

3
4
+
2
9

Answer:

35
36

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Find common denominator (LCM): LCM(4, 9) = 36
  2. 2
    Convert fractions to common denominator: 3/4 = 27/36, 2/9 = 8/36
    3
    4
    +
    2
    9
  3. 3
    Add the numerators: 27/36 + 8/36 = 35/36
    27
    36
    +
    8
    36
    =
    35
    36

โž– Subtracting Fractions

Example

7
9
-
20
29

Answer:

23
261

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Find common denominator (LCM): LCM(9, 29) = 261
  2. 2
    Convert fractions to common denominator: 7/9 = 203/261, 20/29 = 180/261
    7
    9
    โˆ’
    20
    29
  3. 3
    Subtract the numerators: 203/261 - 180/261 = 23/261
    203
    261
    โˆ’
    180
    261
    =
    23
    261

โœ–๏ธ Multiplying Fractions

Example

7
8
ร—
3
4

Answer:

21
32

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Write the fractions: 7/8 ร— 3/4
    7
    8
    ร—
    3
    4
  2. 2
    Multiply numerators and denominators: (7 ร— 3)/(8 ร— 4)
    (7 ร— 3)
    (8 ร— 4)
  3. 3
    Calculate the result: 21/32
    21
    32

โž— Dividing Fractions

Example

3
8
รท
1
4

Answer:

1 
1
2

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Write the fractions: 3/8 รท 1/4
    3
    8
    รท
    1
    4
  2. 2
    Change division to multiplication by reciprocal: 3/8 ร— 4/1
    3
    8
    ร—
    4
    1
  3. 3
    Multiply numerators and denominators: (3 ร— 4)/(8 ร— 1)
    (3 ร— 4)
    (8 ร— 1)
  4. 4
    Calculate the result: 12/8
    12
    8
  5. 5
    Convert to mixed number: 1 1/2
    1 
    1
    2

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