Fractions....?

Question

I never really learned how to do fractions in school because I guess I never really payed attention all that well and now Im stuck! Someone please help by explaining the steps.

here is a similar problem to what I need to do.

2 1/4 + 1 2/3 = ??

I dont want the answer.. I want someone to explain how to solve it in steps!

Answer 1

First, you must get the fractions into improper form. That is, changing the mixed number (a whole number and a fraction) into just one fraction. To do this:

(Denominator= number on bottom, Numerator= number on top)

> Multiply the denominator by the whole number and add the current numerator.

Ex: 2 1/4 >> 9/4

> Next you must get a common denominator between the two fractions. In your example, the easiest way is to just multiply the two denominators together. And since you have multiplied the bottom, you must do the same to the top.

Ex: 9/4 + 5/3 >> 27/12 + 20/12

> Then you are able to add the numerators (numbers on top)

So you are left with (in your example) 47/12. And that can reduce to 3 11/12.

Need more help, email me.

Answer 2

ok. so right now what you have are called mixed numbers and you need to change them into improper fractions to add them. so you have 2 1/4, you need to multiply 2 and the denominator (4) to get 8 and now you have to add the numerator to 8. So 8 + 1 = 9.
Now that you've multiplied 2 and 4 and added 1 you get 9/4. this is called an improper fraction. do the same with the other number. 1 times 3 + 2 = 5/3. The denominator always stays the same. now you have 9/4 + 5/3. you need to get a common denominator between the two so you can add them. look for a number that 4 and 3 both go into. They both go into 12 because 4 times 3 and 3 times 4. So the denominator has now been changed to 12. take 9/4 and since 4 goes into 12 three times you keep the number 3 and multiply it by the numerator which is 9 to get 27. take 5/3 and keep 4 because 3 x 4 = 12. multiply four times the numerator (5) to get 20. add 20 and 27 over 12. you get 47/12 which is an improper fraction. to change it into a mixed number just divide it to get 3 11/12. see? it's simple. pay attention in class next time. otherwise it will get more complicated.

Answer 3

2 1/4 is the same as 9/4 you take the denominator of the fraction and multiple the whole number by that then add the numberator of the fraction (2*4+1=9) then use the denominator

1 2/3 = 5/3 (same logic as before)

so now you have 9/4+5/3
next find a "common denominator" the easiest way to do this is to multiple the two denominators together (4*3=12)

now since you multiplied the demoninator of 9/4 by 3 you have to multuply the numerator by 3 as well - same as multiplying by 1 (3/3) so 9/4 = 27/12
5/3 = 20/12 (same logic just multiplying by 4)

now you have 27/12 + 20/12 = 47/12

then you can symplify this to 3 11/12
hope this helps.....

Answer 4

Traditional method is to convert both numbers to fractions.
To do the first number, multiply the 4 times 2 and add 1 getting 9.
Place this number over the denominator (4) to produce 9/4. This is equivalent to the 2 1/4. Do the same for the 1 2/3. You now have two fractions with the top numbers larger than the bottom numbers. To avoid issues of lowest common denominator, just cross-multiply and add. Put that answer over the product of the bottom numbers. ex: 3/2 + 5/4 = (3x4+5x2)/2x4=22/8=2 6/8=
2 3/4. good luck with your problem. Your answer is just a little bit less than 4.

Answer 5

Others are giving you the steps, I'd like to explain the logic a bit.

To add fractions, you need to know what those two fractions are, and they have to have the same denominator -- you can't add 1/4 to 1/3 directly -- what would it be?

So, first, you need two fractions (you have two mixed numbers).

You're going to be working with fourths first. You have one of them, and 2 whole -- Hersey bars, say.

So how many fourths do you have altogether? Well there's 4 of them in a whole bar ... you can probably take it from there.

Do the same for the thirds. ...

Now, you can't add 4ths and 3rds, you need to break them both down into the same sized bits.

Since they will both break evenly into 12ths, use that (the easiest foolproof way of finding a common denominator, when once isn't a multiple of the other -- if you were working with 4ths and halves, say -- is to multiply them).

You're guaranteed that they are both equally divisible into that. Often that gives you an unnecessarily big number, but it does always work.

So, you take your fourth, and break it into 12th-sized bits (each whole bar is in 12 bits).

How many bits is that altogether? Well, you multiplied the denominator by 3, so you have to multiply the numerator by 3 -- you're multiplying by 1, that is, 3 over 3 -- which always gets you what you started with.

500 X 1 = 500, just as 362/362 X 4 = 4.

Do same for the second fraction, multiplying the top and bottom by 4 to get your twelfths.

Now you have a bunch of twelfths and a bunch more twelfths. Add the numerators.

Ta DA!

When you can think in concrete terms, and think through what you're doing, you don't have to memorize a bunch of rules, and you can always reality-check what you're doing.

Answer 6

Should have paid attention!

2 1/4. To get this improper, you multiply 2*4 and add it to 1 to get 9/4(you get the denominator)

1 2/3 Same thing, 1*3 +2=5, so it's 5/3

Now, you need to find a common denominator. 3 and 4 both go into 12.

In 9/4, both numbers need to be multiplied by 3 to get 27/12

In 5/3, both numbers need to be multiplied by 4 to get 20/12

27/12+20/12=47/12 (just add the numerators and keep the denominator)

so your answer is 47/12

Answer 7

convert to improper fractions (e.g. 2 x 4 + 1 over 4)-> find least common denominator b/w the two fractions and convert them -> add


Work: 2 x 4 + 1 over 4 = 9/4
PLUS
1 x 3 + 2 over 3 = 5/3

= 9/4 + 5/3 (LCD = 12) = 27/12 + 20/12 = 47/12

Answer 8

1) add the whole #s together
2) then u need common denominators (the bottom part)
-so multiply the whole thing by a number (the same one) on the top and the bottom so that you have the same denominator in both of you fractions (i think its the answer of 4 x 3)
3) add your fractions together
4) add your fraction to your whole #
5) you may need to simplify
6) i wont give u the answer:D
7) good luck

Answer 9

so for 1/4 and 2/3 what is a lowest common denominator
1 would say 12 - so convert both to x/12
which would be 1/4 = 3/12 and 2/3 = 8/12
now you can add your problem

best of luck