To add fractions with the same denominator: 1) Add the numerators and keep the denominators the same 2) Simplify or reduce the fraction by finding the greatest common factor of the numerator and denominator and dividing both by it 3) An improper fraction resulting from the addition can be converted to a mixed number by dividing the numerator by the denominator and writing any remainder over the original denominator

1. Adding and Subtracting Fractions with like Denominators

2. What the heck is a numerator and denominator?Fractions are made of two parts; the numerator and denominator. The numerator is the number on top of the fraction. The denominator is the number on the bottom of the fraction.

3. How do I add fractions with the same denominator?To add or subtract fractions the denominators, or bottom numbers, must be the same.

4. Then…You simply add the numerators, or top numbers, and keep the denominators the same.

5. Practice on your white board1.2.3.

6. Now put into simplest or reduced formSimplest or reduced form means that a number is reduced

7. Let’s practice!We’re going to add:3/6 + 1/6Are the denominators the same?Add the numerators, keep the denominator.You should have gotten 4/6Do you think we can reduce 4/6?Yes!

8. Now let’s reduce!First, we have to factor our numerator and denominator. 4: the factors of 4 are…1,2,46: the factors of 6 are…1,2,3,6Which number in the two list is the Greatest Common Factor (GFC)2

9. Finish reducingNow that we’ve figured out the GFC, divide the numerator and denominator by the GFC 2= 2 2 = 3Our reduced fraction is now 2/3

10. Mixed Numbers and Improper FractionsSometimes when we add fractions we get an improper fraction as our sum:

11. How to turn an improper fraction into a mixed number…it’s so easy!23/3 is an improper fractionTo make it a mixed number you simply have to divide the numerator, top number, by the denominator, bottom number. 23 3= 7 R 27 is your whole number, 2 becomes your numerator and 3 stays are your denominator.

12. Now you try!Turn each improper fraction into a mixed number15/222/79/2Answers…7 ½3 1/74 ½