ADDITION: Example 2

Rule 18:
To add fractions, the denominators must be equal. Complete the following steps to add two fractions.
1.
Build each fraction so that both denominators are equal.
2.
Add the numerators of the fractions.
3.
The denominators will be the denominator of the built-up fractions.
4.
Reduce the answer.

Example:
Calculate tex2html_wrap_inline50 .
Answer:
The answer is tex2html_wrap_inline52 .
Solution:
The denominators are different, so you must build each fraction to a form where they both have the same denominator. Since both 4 and 6 will divide evenly into 12, build both fractions to a denominator of 12. tex2html_wrap_inline54 and tex2html_wrap_inline56.
tex2html_wrap_inline50 can now be written tex2html_wrap_inline60 . Add the numerators for the numerator in the answer. 9 + 2 = 11.

The answer is tex2html_wrap_inline62 .
This answer is already reduced, so you can skip step 4.

Check:
You can check the answer with your calculator. Calculate 3 divided by 4, 1 divided by 6, and add the results. Now divide 11 by 12. Both answers should be the same.

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