Fractions

Adding & Subtracting Fractions

Let’s say you as well as your sisters want to eat sandwiches together. You are the oldest of them all, and it is your responsibility to split the sandwich amongst everyone. If you split the sandwich into 6 sized portions, every slice may be determined by the number 1/6. That’s how we represent things in fractional terms. A fraction is defined as a piece of a complete whole or, to put it another way, any quantity of equal portions. A fraction in ordinary English denotes the set of parts of a particular size, such as 1/2, 3/4, 5/4, and so on. 

In this article, we are going to discuss the process of adding fractions.

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The Invention of the Term Fraction

“Fraction” is derived from Latin Word “fractio,” meaning “to break.” The Egyptians, the very first tribe to learn the concept of fractions, used fractions to handle arithmetic issues such as food and supply division, as well as the lack of bullion money.

In Ancient Rome, fractions were only recorded utilizing words to express a piece of the total. Fractions were initially written without a line in India, with one number atop another (numerator & denominator). Only the Arabs added the line between the numerator & denominator.

How to Add Fractions?

Fractions can be added by using the following methods. 

  1. Fractions having the Same denominators – Assume we have to calculate the sum of two fractions 3/5 & 3/5. Because the denominators of both the given fractions are similar, we can easily add the top part of the fraction which is known as the numerator while keeping the denominator constant. As a result, the total of the given fractions is 6/5.
  2. Different denominators – Assume we have to find the sum of the fractions 4/6 & 2/3. Because the denominators of both the given fractions are distinct. To determine the total, we must first calculate the L.C.M of the given denominators that is 3 & 6, the L.C.M of the denominators is 6. However, if you don’t know how to compute the L.C.M of integers, go to the Cuemath website.

4*16*1=4/6, 2*23*2= 4/6, now the denominators are the same, so simply add. 

           The sum of the fractions is 8/6 on reducing the fraction to its simplest terms we get the output as 4/3.

Real-World Examples

In daily life, there are various examples of fractions, including such:

  • If a piece of bread is divided into three equal parts, every section includes 1/3 of the total bread.
  • If we cut a melon piece into four equal parts, every segment is equal to one-fourth of the total melon.
  • If there are eight candies and we need to distribute them to 2 kids, each kid’s portion represented as a percent would be one-fourth of the grand total of candies.