This document provides instructions for adding fractions. It explains that to add like fractions, one adds the numerators and keeps the same denominator. For unlike denominators that are relatively prime, one finds a common denominator and converts the fractions before adding. For denominators with common factors, one determines the least common multiple to use as the common denominator. Examples are provided to illustrate each of these methods.

1. Lsn 8­4.notebook January 13, 2010
Adding Fractions:
Fractions are algebraic terms.
means means
To add like terms, add coefficients:
To add like fractions, add numerators:
1

2. Lsn 8­4.notebook January 13, 2010
ex:
ex:
ex:
ex:
ex:
2

3. Lsn 8­4.notebook January 13, 2010
To add unlike denominators:
For denominators that are relatively prime:
ex:
ex:
ex:
3

4. Lsn 8­4.notebook January 13, 2010
To add unlike denominators:
For denominators that have common factors:
Ask yourself, "What's missing?"
ex:
4

5. Lsn 8­4.notebook January 13, 2010
ex:
5

6. Lsn 8­4.notebook January 13, 2010
Classwork 8­4
6

7. Lsn 8­4.notebook January 13, 2010
7

8. Lsn 8­4.notebook January 13, 2010
8

9. Lsn 8­4.notebook January 13, 2010
9

10. Lsn 8­4.notebook January 13, 2010
10

11. Lsn 8­4.notebook January 13, 2010
11