Addition and Subtraction of Fractions:

While two or more fractions have the similar denominator, they are said to have a general denominator.  The rules for adding fractions along with a common denominator will first be explored. Consider the example.

3/8 + 1/8 = ___

First of all, the fraction   3/8 means three 1/8 segments, i.e.  3/8 = 3 x   1/8.  Looking at this as the addition of pie segments:

It is obvious in that three of these segments (1/8ths) plus one of these segments (1/8ths) equal four of these segments (1/8ths).

This graphic described can be completed for any addition of fractions with general denominators. The sum of the fractions is acquired by adding the numerators and dividing this sum through the common denominator.

2/6 + 3/6 + 1/6 = 2× (1/6) + 3× (1/6) +1× (1/6) = 6× 1/6 = 1

Also, this common method applies to subtraction, Instance,