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Show your child how to add fractions

Consider starting by showing your child graphically what the addition of fractions looks like (always a good math teaching technique).

Adding fractions with the same denominator

Ensure your child can add fractions with the same denominator before tackling addition with different denominators.

He or she should also be able to resulting fraction to its simplest form.

Adding fractions with different denominators

A common denominator must be found when adding fractions that have different denominators. This is the most important (and probably the hardest) step in adding or subtracting fractions. A common denominator can always be found by multiplying the denominators.

Sometimes the product of the two denominators denominator will not be the lowest common denominator. Finding the lowest common denominator in such cases can be a trial and error exercise. Take the highest denominator multiply it be 1, then by 2 ,then by 3 and so on. Each time check to see if the other denominator(s) are also divisors of the number.

Reducing the answer to its lowest term

It is good practice to finish by reducing the answer to its simplest form (lowest term) if it is not in that form already.

Be sure your child understands that an answer that is not in its simplest form is not necessarily wrong.

Worksheets

Use the worksheets below to practice adding fractions.

• Adding Fractions (same denominator) e.g. 4/7 + 2/7
• Adding Mixed Numbers (same denominator) e.g. 4 2/9 + 6 5/9
• Adding Fractions (different denominator) e.g. 2/3 + 1/4
• Adding Mixed Numbers (different denominator) e.g. 5 1/8 + 6 2/5