Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators with terms

3/8 + 1/4

5/8

1/4 + 1/3

7/12

1/6 + 3/10

7/15

1/10 + 1/4

7/20

2/9 + 2/3

8/9

Fraction

Part of a whole. For example, 1/2 is a fraction; the bottom number 2 (the denominator) says how many parts the whole is divided into, and the top number 1 (the numerator) says how many parts we have.

Denominator

The bottom number of a fraction that shows the total number of parts created from a whole. For example, the denominator of the fraction 2/3 is 3.

Unlike Denominator

Two fractions where denominators are not the same. Before you can add or subtract fractions with different denominators, you must first create equivalent fractions with the same denominator by by finding the least common multiple of the denominators. For example, the fractions 1/3 and 1/4 have unlike denominators. Before adding, equivalent fractions must be made: 4/12 + 3/12.

1/2 + 2/9

13/18

5/12 + 1/8

13/24

2/6 + 3/8

17/24

5/8 + 1/6

19/24

7/8 + 1/12

23/24

Multiple

A multiple of a number is the product of that number and any other whole number. For example, the multiples of 4 are: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20...

Equivalent Fraction

Equivalent fractions are different fractions that represent the same number. For example, 2/4 and 4/8 look different, but have the same value of 1/2.

Least Common Denominator (LCD)

The LCD is the smallest number that can be used for all denominators of 2 or more fractions. This is necessary for adding or subtracting fractions. For example the LCD for 1/3 & 3/4 is 12. To determine the LCD, find the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of the denominators 3 & 4. 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20

Least Common Multiple (LCM)

The smallest positive number that is a multiple of two or more numbers. For example: the LCM of 3 and 5 is 15. 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 5: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40

Numerator

The top number of a fraction that shows how many part of a whole that are being considered. For example, the numerator of the fraction 2/3 is 2.