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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

1
12
+
5
12

Answer:

1
2

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Fractions have the same denominator: 1/12 + 5/12
    1
    12
    +
    5
    12
  2. 2
    Add the numerators: (1 + 5)/12
    (1 + 5)
    12
  3. 3
    Calculate the result: 6/12
    6
    12
  4. 4
    Simplify the result: 1/2
    1
    2

โž– Subtracting Fractions

Example

7
9
-
2
7

Answer:

31
63

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Find common denominator (LCM): LCM(9, 7) = 63
  2. 2
    Convert fractions to common denominator: 7/9 = 49/63, 2/7 = 18/63
    7
    9
    โˆ’
    2
    7
  3. 3
    Subtract the numerators: 49/63 - 18/63 = 31/63
    49
    63
    โˆ’
    18
    63
    =
    31
    63

โœ–๏ธ Multiplying Fractions

Example

3
9
ร—
4
7

Answer:

4
21

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Write the fractions: 3/9 ร— 4/7
    3
    9
    ร—
    4
    7
  2. 2
    Multiply numerators and denominators: (3 ร— 4)/(9 ร— 7)
    (3 ร— 4)
    (9 ร— 7)
  3. 3
    Calculate the result: 12/63
    12
    63
  4. 4
    Simplify the result: 4/21
    4
    21

โž— Dividing Fractions

Example

3
8
รท
1
3

Answer:

1 
1
8

Solution Steps

  1. 1
    Write the fractions: 3/8 รท 1/3
    3
    8
    รท
    1
    3
  2. 2
    Change division to multiplication by reciprocal: 3/8 ร— 3/1
    3
    8
    ร—
    3
    1
  3. 3
    Multiply numerators and denominators: (3 ร— 3)/(8 ร— 1)
    (3 ร— 3)
    (8 ร— 1)
  4. 4
    Calculate the result: 9/8
    9
    8
  5. 5
    Convert to mixed number: 1 1/8
    1 
    1
    8

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