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How do you add fractions that have a non common denominator???

I always thought that you had to simplify to get a common denominator, but my daughter says she doesnt know how to simplify, and I am OLD and dont remember any other way to do it?????

2006-09-12 12:07:03 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference Homework Help

The problem is 1/2+1/2+1 1/2+1 1/4..... I can convert it to fractions, and get the correct answer but thats about the only way I have been able to figure it out....

2006-09-12 12:16:56 · update #1

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP....
I GOT IT FIGURED OUT!!!!!
YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!!!!

2006-09-12 12:20:18 · update #2

11 answers

Yes, you're exactly right, you must find the common denominator to add the fractions.

Here's one from Jeopardy last night - what's 1/2 + 1/3 + 1/10 + 1/15?
You have to convert them all to 30ths, so you get 15/30 + 10/30 + 3/30 + 2/30 = 30/30 = 1. :o) sneaky question.

2006-09-12 12:11:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Yes, you have to get a least common denominator. So, for example, if the problem was 2/3 + 1/2 = ? you'd convert both fractions to sixths: 4/6 + 3/6 = 7/6 or 1 1/6.

To find the least common denominator, you can always multiply the two denominators together (as in the above example, 2x3=6), you might sometimes be able to simply further.

2006-09-12 12:11:05 · answer #2 · answered by Allen 3 · 0 0

You first find a common denominator, that is, one that is divisible by both given denominators. For example, if you had to add one half and one third, a common denominator would be 6

so you then convert each fraction to sixths.

1/2 = ?/6 and 1/3 = ?/6

Now since two goes into six three times, and since you are allowed to multiply the top and bottom of a fraction by the same amount, then if you multiply top and bottom by 3 you get that 1/2 = 3/6, which of course it does.

Similarly, the 3 goes into the 6 twice, so multiply top and bottom of THAT fraction by 2 to get 2/6. Now you are adding 3/6 and 2/6 which add up to 5/6.

The trick is to convert them both to the same denominator, preferably the lowest one that is divisible by both given denominators.

2006-09-12 12:13:56 · answer #3 · answered by All hat 7 · 0 0

you have to get a common denominator.

lets say you have 1/7 + 1/5.

common denominator: 35.

you change the fractions so they both have 35 as the denominator by mulitplying both top and bottom by the same number.

1/7 x 5/5 = 5/35

1/5 x 7/7 = 7/35

5/35 + 7/35 = 12/35

2006-09-12 12:10:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

lets say you have 1/2 + 8/10 common demoninator is 10

so it is 5/10 + 8/10 = 13/10. At her age..simplifying is not that necessary and also this would not be simplifiable, unless you turn it into a mixed fraction

2006-09-12 12:10:18 · answer #5 · answered by thatshowiroll 3 · 0 0

you're right. you multiply the numerators by whatever factor that gives you a comment denominator. once you do that, you just add the fractions together. i dont think there is another way to do it.

2006-09-12 12:10:40 · answer #6 · answered by Kaitlyn 4 · 0 0

Put the problem on line, please. I know all about common denominators-but simplify?
4/2 (6)= 12/6 = (6) 2/1 =2
+
2/3 (6) = 4/6= 2/3
______________________________
2 2/3

2006-09-12 12:25:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

example: 1/2 + 2/5
five and two can both go into 10 so...
5/10+ 4/10 = 9/10

I hope you get it!!!

2006-09-12 12:11:33 · answer #8 · answered by woohoo its me 2 · 0 0

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2016-09-30 21:31:27 · answer #9 · answered by geddings 4 · 0 0

multiply the denominators by each other and then add the top two numerators. put the added numerators over the multiplied denominator

2006-09-12 12:10:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

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