Adding fractions with different denominators

Adding fractions with different denominators

Adding fractions with different denominators is learned in grade 6 or 7 math. Once kids get very comfortable with adding fractions with same denominators, the next step in fraction learning is adding fractions with unlike denominators.

Key to adding fractions with different denominators

To add two or more fractions with different denominators, the key is to change all these fractions into equivalent fractions with the same denominators. To do this step kids should have the basic knowledge of finding least common multiple (lcm) of two or more numbers.

Because to get fractions converted into equivalent fractions with same denominators, we need to find the least common multiple of denominator of all the fractions we want to add. The least common multiple of denominators is also known as least common denominator.

Once all the given fractions have been changed into equivalent fractions with denominators same as least common denominators, we can add them easily by adding their numerators as we did in case of fraction addition with same denominators.

Adding fractions worksheets with unlike denominators

Below is a lesson which explains how to add two fractions with different denominators. Adding fractions worksheets with different denominators can be found at http://www.fractionsworksheets.ca, you can click the above link to visit the page of the site containing cool fractions worksheets on fractions addition.

Hope kids can figure out by looking at shapes with different number of parts, that why we can’t add fractions with different denominators without making their denominators same. Hence the adding fractions with different denominators, don’t forget to print all kinds of fractions worksheets at our main site.

Best of luck with your fractions learning!!!