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Learn Elementary Math Fractions

Add and subtract fractions

Make the pieces the same size before you count them.

Elementary Math: Fractions

Find a common denominator.
Rewrite each fraction.
Add or subtract the tops, and keep the bottom.
Simplify.

Work through it

$\frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{2}$

$\frac{1}{2} = \frac{2}{4}$

$\frac{1}{4} + \frac{2}{4} = \frac{3}{4}$

$\frac{5}{6} - \frac{1}{3}$

$\frac{1}{3} = \frac{2}{6}$

$\frac{5}{6} - \frac{2}{6} = \frac{3}{6} = \frac{1}{2}$

Watch out for this

$\frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{3} = \frac{2}{5}$

Don't add the bottoms. $\frac{2}{5}$ is smaller than $\frac{1}{2}$ , so it can't be right. The answer is $\frac{5}{6}$ .

Your turn

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