how do you add fractions with uncommon denominators?
You need to change the fractions to have a common denominator.
Check this site to see how to change fractions so they have a common denominator.
http://www.themathpage.com/ARITH/add-fractions-subtract-fractions-1.htm
You change the fractions to a common denominator, then add and reduce the fraction ( if possible)
example: 1/3 + 1/4 = ?
4/12 + 3/12 = 7/12
This can not be further reduced.
Adding fractions with uncommon denominators requires finding a common denominator before adding them together. Here's a step-by-step explanation:
1. Find the least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators. The LCM is the smallest number that is divisible by both denominators. If the denominators are already the same, you can skip this step.
2. Rewrite each fraction with the common denominator. To do this, multiply the numerator and denominator of each fraction by the same value that would make the denominator equal to the common denominator.
3. Once the fractions have the same denominator, add their numerators together. Keep the denominator the same.
4. If needed, simplify the resulting fraction by finding the greatest common divisor (GCD) and dividing both the numerator and denominator by it.
Let's demonstrate with an example:
Suppose we want to add 1/4 and 3/8.
1. The denominators, 4 and 8, have a common multiple of 8.
2. To make the fractions have a denominator of 8, we multiply both the numerator and denominator of 1/4 by 2, resulting in 2/8. For 3/8, we don't need to change anything.
3. Adding the numerators together, we have 2 + 3 = 5.
4. The resulting fraction is 5/8, which cannot be simplified further, as 5 and 8 have no common factors.
Therefore, 1/4 + 3/8 = 5/8.