Adding up fractions can be difficult. A fraction is a division of two numbers. The number above the scoreline is called the numerator and the number below the scoreline is the denominator. To add together fractions, you must first ensure that the denominators of the two fractions are equal. By multiplying the numerator and denominator in one or both fractions with the same number (and the number does not change when you multiply it by one), you can ensure that the denominators of the fractions are equal.
For example: 2⁄5 + 1⁄4
We can not add up these two fractions, since the denominators are not equal.
2⁄5 can be written as: 2⁄5 × 4⁄4 = 8⁄20
1⁄4 can be written as: 1⁄4 × 5⁄5 = 5⁄20
The denominator numbers are now equal so now we can add the fractions together:
8⁄20 + 5⁄20 = 13⁄20
The fraction calculator automatically simplifies the result of the calculation into the simplest form in which the numerator and denominator are as small as possible. Use the fraction calculator to practice with the addition of fractions or check your answers.