Adding and Subtracting Fractions - Same or Like Denominators

When you add or subtract fractions, consider the problem to be easy when the den
ominators are equal or the same. The rules can be summarized below.

Fractions with the same denominators

To ADD
To SUBTRACT

formula how to add fractions: (a/d)+(b/d)=(a+b)/d

formula to subtraction fractions: (a/d)-(b/d)=(a-b)/d where d is the common deno

minator

Comment: To add fractions with equal denominators, simply add the numerators the
n copy the common denominator. Comment: To subtract fractions with equal denomi
nators, simply subtract the numerators then copy the common denominator.
Example 1: Add the fractions add fractions: (3/7)+(2/7).
The denominators of the two fractions are both 7. By having the same denominator
s, we can easily add these fractions by adding their numerators and copying the
common denominator which is 7.
(3/7)+(2/7)=5/7
We can also show the addition process using circles.
The first fraction 3/7 can be represented by a circle divided equally in seven p
arts with three pieces shaded in red.
Observe: the numerator tells us how many areas are shaded while the denominator
tells us how many equal parts the circle is divided.
pie chart of fraction 3/7
In the same manner, the second fraction 2/7 looks like this.
pie chart representation of fraction 2/7
Since the two circles are both divided in seven (7) equal parts, we should be ab
le to overlap them. The new circle after addition has five (5) shaded regions wh
ich is the accumulation of both red and blue pieces.
pie charts showing how to add (3/7) and (2/7) which is (3/7)+(2/7)=5/7

Example 2: Add the fractions add fractions: (3/16)+(9/16).

Let's combine these fractions using the addition rule. Again, add the numerators
and copy the common denominator.
(3/16)+(9/16)=12/16
After you add fractions, always find the opportunity to simplify the added fract
ions by reducing it to the lowest term. We can do so by dividing both the numera
tor and denominator by their greatest common divisor.
common divisor is a nonzero whole number that can evenly divide two or more numb
ers.
greatest common divisor (GCD) is the largest number among the common divisors of
two or more numbers.
Obviously, the numerator and denominator have a common divisor of 2. However, i
s there a number larger than 2 that can also evenly divide both of them?
Yes, there is! The number 4 is the greatest common divisor of 12 and 16. Therefo
re, we will use this number to reduce the fraction to its lowest term.
Divide the top and bottom by the GCD = 4 to get the final answer.

(3/16)+(9/16)=12/16=3/4 when simplified to lowest terms

Example 3: Add the fractions add fractions: (5/30) + (1/30).
Solution:
Since the denominators of the two fractions are equal, add the numerators and co
py the common denominator.
(5/30)+(1/30)=6/30, not simplified to lowest terms
The top and bottom numbers of the fraction are divisible by 2 and 6. However, we
always want the largest common divisor to reduce the fraction to its lowest ter
m. Thus, the GCD = 6.
Divide the top and bottom numbers by 6.
(5/30)+(1/30)=6/30=1/5, answer in lowest terms
Example 4: Add the fractions add the three fractions: (3/45)+(14/45)+(8/45).
Solution:
All three fractions have the same denominators. The rule in adding fractions wit
h equal denominators still holds!
Get the sum of the three numerators, and copy the common denominator.
(3/45)+(14/45)+(8/45)=25/45, not yet reduced to lowest terms
The greatest common division between the numerator and denominator is 5.
Divide top and bottom by 5.
(3/45)+(14/45)+(8/45)=25/45=5/9, reduced to lowest term

Example 5: Subtract the fractions subtract fractions: (5/5)-(2/5) .

This time around, we are going to subtract the numerators instead of adding them
.
(5/5)-(2/5)=3/5
Looking at the result after subtraction, the only common divisor between the num
erator and denominator is 1. Thus, the final answer remains to be 3/5. Think abo
ut it, dividing the top and bottom by 1 won't change the value of the fraction.
How does it look graphically?
Suppose you have a green cake. And you cut it in 5 equal portions. This can be r
epresented in fraction as 5/5.
pie graph of 5/5 (circle divided into five equal parts)
If you ate two slices of the cake ( -2/5 ) , you should have three leftover piec
es ( 3/5 ).
The plate should look something like this.

pie chart of the fraction 3/5

Example 6: Subtract the fractions subtract fractions: (10/27)-(4/27) .
The two fractions have the same denominators which means we should be able to ea
sily subtract their numerators.
(10/27)-(4/27)=6/27, not simplified yet
The answer can still be further simplified using a common divisor of 3. So, divi
de the numerator and denominator by 3 to reduce the fraction to its lowest terms
.
(10/27)-(4/27)=6/27=2/9, now in simplest form
Example 7: Subtract the fractions subtract fractions: (21/81)-(3/81).
Solution:
Since the denominators of the two fractions are equal, subtract their numerators
and copy the common denominator.
(21/81)-(3/81)=18/81, not in simplest term
The numerator and divisor are divisible by 3 and 9. However, we always want the
largest common divisor to reduce the fraction to its lowest term. Thus, the GCD
= 9.
Divide the top and bottom numbers by 9.
(21/81)-(3/81)=18/81=2/9, in simplest form
Example 8: Subtract the fractions subtract three fractions: (22/33)-(6/33)-(5/33
)=11/33=1/3, final answer in simplest or reduced form.
Solution:
Subtract the numerators, and reduce the resulting fraction to its lowest term us
ing the GCD = 11.

(22/33) - (6/33) - (5/33) = 1/3