how do you add multiple fractions?

Answer 1

Example,

1/2 + 1/3 + 1/5

Find a suitable common denominator, e.g. 30

Convert all fractions to this same denominator.

15/30 + 10/30 + 6/30

= (15 + 10 + 6) / 30

= 31/30

= 1 1/30

Answer 2

You find a common denominator.

For example, let's say you wanted to add these fractions together:
1/2,1/3,1/4

You have to find a denominator (the number on the bottom of the fraction) that works for all of them.

In this case, 12 works well as a denominator. Here's how you change the fractions by multiplying them:

1/2 * 6/6 = 6/12

1/3 * 4/4 = 4/12

1/4 * 3/3 = 3/12

The fractions you end up with are the same as the fractions you started with, because all you did was multiply them by 1: 6/6 = 1, 4/4 = 1, and 3/3 = 1.

Then, since they all have the same denominator, you can add them up:

6/12 + 4/12 + 3/12 = (6 + 4 + 3)/12 = 13/12

Answer 3

1) If the denominators are the same, then you simply add the numerators together and stick that over the denominator.

2) If the denominators are different, you need to find a common denominator. Now most math books will say to find the LOWEST common denominator, but I tell my students it's often much easier to find ANY common denominator.

Once you have a common denominator, you convert each fraction into that denominator and then add the numerators together.

If you didn't find the LOWEST denominator, then you can reduce your answer.

For example 1/12 + 1/3. If you can't see that the lowest common denominator is 12, you could simply multiply the two denominators (12 x 3) to get a common denominator of 36.

1/12 would become 3/36, and 1/3 would become 12/36. Adding them would give you 15/36, which could ultimately be reduced down to 5/12.

Either way, you get the same answer!

Answer 4

you find a common denominator

you express all the fractions in that same denominator

the sum of the fractions is a fraction with a numerator that is the sum of all the numerators and a denominator that is the same common denominator

for example

1/2 + 1/4 +1/12 + 1/6 =

I see that 12 could be a common denominator, all the fractions can be expressed with a denominator of 12, 1/2 is the same as 6/12

6/12+3/12+1/12+2/12=12/12=1

voila

good luck

Answer 5

if denominators are the same, you can add it. Else find the lowest common multiple between denominators and combine the fraction.... perhaps a simple qns that u have in mind can help clear yr understanding.