You can not without making the denominators the same.
Do that by seeking the least common multiple of the denominators.
for example to add 3/17 + 1/2
look for a common multiple of 2 and 17.
by the way, the product will always work
2*17 = 34
so
multiply top and bottom of 3/17 by 2 to get
6/34
and
multiply top and bottom of 1/2 by 17 to get
17/34
Then instead of adding 3/17 +1/2
I add
6/34 + 17/34
which is
23/34
done
how do you add and subtract fractions with different denomonaters?
3 answers
It is not possible with different denominators. So you would have to change them to make themt the same.
You need to find the lowest common denominator for both fractions. But the product of both denominators would work also.
3/6 + 5/3
The lowest denominator for the obove fractions would be 6. What you do to the bottom, you would do to the top. You multiply the 3 by 2 to get 6, so you would multiply the 5 by 2 to get 10. The new fractions would be...
3/6 + 10/6
Now, just add the numerators together, but leave the denominators as it is.
3/6 + 10/6 = 13/6
And don't forget to leave the fractions in lowest terms. In our case though it is already in lowest terms.
And don't forget
You need to find the lowest common denominator for both fractions. But the product of both denominators would work also.
3/6 + 5/3
The lowest denominator for the obove fractions would be 6. What you do to the bottom, you would do to the top. You multiply the 3 by 2 to get 6, so you would multiply the 5 by 2 to get 10. The new fractions would be...
3/6 + 10/6
Now, just add the numerators together, but leave the denominators as it is.
3/6 + 10/6 = 13/6
And don't forget to leave the fractions in lowest terms. In our case though it is already in lowest terms.
And don't forget
And for subtraction, you would do the exact same thing, but subtracting the numerators insteand of adding.
ANd don't forget to leave your answers in lowest terms.
ANd don't forget to leave your answers in lowest terms.