Math 6 H Periods 1, 6 & 7

Addition and Subtraction of Fractions 7-1

Most of you already know how to add and subtract fractions, although some of you may need just a little review.

5/9 + 2/9 = 7/9

and that
7/9 – 2/9 = 5/9


The properties of addition and subtraction of whole numbers also apply to fractions.
If the denominators are the same— add or subtract the numerators AND use the numerator!!

In order to add two fractions with different denominators, we first find two fractions, with a common denominator, equivalent to the given fractions. Then add these two fractions.

The most convenient denominator to use as a common denominator is the least common denominator of LCD, of the two fractions. That is, the least common multiple of the two denominators.

LCD ( a/b, c/d) = LCM(b, d) where band d both cannot be equal to 0

For example LCD ( 3/4, 5/6) = LCM(4,6) =12

3/4 = 9/12 and 5/6 = 10/12

Let’s do:
7/15 + 8/9

First find the LCD

LCM(15, 9) Do your factor trees or inverted division – or just by knowing!!

15 = 3• 5
9 = 32

So LCM(15,9) = [every factor to its greatest power] 32•5 = 45

Then find equivalent factions with a LCD of 45, and add

7/15 = 21/45

8/9 = 40/45

21/45 + 40/45 = 61/45 = 1 16/45


Addition and Subtraction of Mixed Numbers 7-2

To add or subtract mixed numbers we could first change the mixed numbers to improper fractions and then use the method from 7-1 .
1 4/9 + 3 1/9 = 13/9 + 28/9 = 41/9 = 4 5/9 but that was 5th grade….
In the second method, and the one I prefer, you work separately with the fractional and whole number parts of the given mixed numbers.


STACK THEM!!
3 4/9
1 7/9
4 11/9 = 5 2/9


If the fractional parts of the given mixed numbers have different denominators, we find equivalent mixed numbers whose fractional parts have the same denominator, usually the LCD.

5 3/10 + 7 7/15

Stack

5 3/10
+7 7/15

Draw a line separating the fractional part from the whole numbers Find the LCM of the denominators the LCD and add…

9 5/9 - 4 13/15