Let's recap what we have learnt about Fractions!
Fractions
A fraction is a part of a whole
Slice a pizza, and you will have fractions:
 |  |  |
| 1/2 | 1/4 | 3/8 |
(One-Half)
|
(One-Quarter)
|
(Three-Eighths)
|
| The top number tells how many slices you have. The bottom number tells how many slices the pizza was cut into. | ||
| A fraction is made up of 2 numbers. The DENOMINATOR shows how many equal 'pieces' something has been divided into. In the fraction, the denominator is 4 which means there are 4 equal pieces that make up the whole. The NUMERATOR shows how many of those pieces there are. In the fraction, there are 3 out of the total of 4 pieces. |
Adding Fractions
You can add fractions easily if the bottom number (the denominator) is the same:
| 1/4 | + | 1/4 | = | 2/4 | = | 1/2 |
| (One-Quarter) | (One-Quarter) | (Two-Quarters) | (One-Half) | |||
| + | | = |  | = | |
Another example:
| 5/8 | + | 1/8 | = | 6/8 | = | 3/4 |
 | + |  | = |  | = |  |
There are 3 Simple Steps to add fractions:
- Step 1: Make sure the bottom numbers (the denominators) are the same
- Step 2: Add the top numbers (the numerators), put the answer over the denominator.
- Step 3: Simplify the fraction (if needed) -- change it into the simplest form!
Example 1:
| 1 | + | 1 |
| 4 | 4 |
Step 1. The bottom numbers (the denominators) are already the same. Go straight to step 2.
Step 2. Add the top numbers and put the answer over the same denominator:
| 1 | + | 1 | = | 1 + 1 | = | 2 |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Step 3. Simplify the fraction:
| 2 | = | 1 |
| 4 | 2 |
In picture form it looks like this:
| 1/4 | + | 1/4 | = | 2/4 | = | 1/2 |
| | | |
Need more help? Go to these links! :)
