Question

how do you add fractions?

Answer 1

Do you have an example I could help you with? You need to find a common denominator (the number on the bottom).

Answer 2

Here is a quick & easy shortcut for adding any fractions a/b + c/d. Start with d (mandatory) and cross multiply, giving da. Then cross multiply the other way, giving bc. Add (or subtract -- this works for subtraction too) these two results. This is the top of the answer. For the bottom, just multiply straight across, giving bd.

The result, then, is (da + bc) / bd. Just memorize the process, not this formula.

Example: 2/5 + 4/9. The top is given by (9 x 2 + 5 x 4), or 38. The bottom is given by 5 x 9 or 45. Thus the answer is 38/45. Always check to see if the answer can be simplified (reduced).