How to Add Fractions

Fractions whose denominators are the same are called similar fractions. Fractions that are not similar
are called dissimilar fractions. Hence, the fractions  ,  , and   are similar fractions, while the
fractions   and   are dissimilar fractions. In this post, we are going to learn how to add fractions. 
How to Add Similar Fractions

Adding similar fractions is very easy.  In adding similar fractions, you just add the numerator
and copy the denominator.  Here are a few examples.

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

In most cases, improper fractions or fractions whose denominator is less than its numerator
such as the third example is converted to mixed form. The mixed form of   is  . We will
discuss how to make such conversion in the near future.

How to Add Dissimilar Fractions

Addition of dissimilar fractions is a bit more complicated than adding similar fractions. In
adding dissimilar fractions, you must determine the least common multiple (LCM)  of their
denominator which is known as the least common denominator. Next, you have to convert
all the addends to equivalent fractions whose denominator is the LCM. Having the same
denominator means that the fractions are already similar.  Here are a few examples.
Example 1

Solution
a. Get the least common multiple (LCM) of 2 and 3.
Multiples of 2: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12
Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12,  15
LCM of 2 and 3 is 6.
b. Convert the fractions into fractions whose denominator is the LCM which is 6.

First Addend: 

So, the equivalent of   is  .

Second Addend: 

So, the equivalent fraction of   is  .

c. Add the equivalent fractions

So,  .

Example 2

Solution
a. Get the LCM of 3 and 5.
Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18
Multiples of 5: 5, 10, 15, 20
Therefore, the LCM of 3 and 5 is 15.

b. Convert the given fractions into equivalent fractions whose denominator is 15. 
First Addend: 

So, the equivalent fraction of   is  .

Second Addend: 

So, the equivalent fraction of   is  .

c. Add the equivalent fractions

So, 

Example 3

Solution
a. Get the LCM of 3, 6 and 8.
Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24
Multiples of 6: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30
Multiples of 8: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40

LCM of 3, 6 and 8 is 24.

b. Convert the given fractions into equivalent fractions whose denominator is 24.

First Addend: 

Therefore, the equivalent fraction of   is 

Second Addend: 
Therefore, the equivalent fraction of    is 

Third Addend: 

Therefore, the equivalent fraction of   is  .

c. Add the equivalent fractions

Fraction Addition Practice Test 1 Solutions and Answers

The idea of getting the least common multiple of the denominator in adding dissimilar
fractions is to convert them into similar fractions or fractions whose denominators are the
same. Once the fractions are similar, you only need to add the numerator and  copy the
denominator.
The solutions to Fraction Addition Practice Test 1 below is divided into three parts: (1)
getting the least common multiple of the denominator, (2) converting the given fractions to
their equivalent fractions whose denominator is the LCM and (3) adding the converted
fractions. Of course, in solving this types of problem the Civil Service Exam, you don’t need
to go through all the steps. You should try developing your own short cuts to make solving
faster.
Solution and Answers to the Fraction Addition Practice Test 1
Solution to Number 1

Given: 

Answer: 

Solution to Number 2

Given: 

Answer: 

Solution to Number 3
Given: 

A. Get the LCM of the denominators 8 and 3.

Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24
Multiples of 8: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40
Therefore, the LCM of 8 and 3 is 24.
B. Convert the given to equivalent fractions whose denominator is 24.

 (  which results to  .)

 (  which results to  .)

So,   and 

C. Add the fractions.

Answer:  .

Solution to Number 4

Given:  

A. Get the LCM of 4, 2, and 5. 

Multiples of 2: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22
Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Multiples of 5: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25
B. Convert the given to equivalent fractions whose denominator is 20.

  (  which results to  .)

 (  which results to  .)

  (  which results to  .)

So,  ,   and  .

C. Add the fractions.

Answer:   or 

Solution to Number 5

Given: 

A. Get the LCM of the denominators 6 and 3. 

Since 6 is divisible by 3, the LCM of 6 and 3 is 6.
B. Convert the given to equivalent fractions whose denominator is 6.

Since   has already denominator 6, we only need to convert  .

 (  which results to  ).

So,  .

C. Add the equivalent fractions

Answer:  .

Solution to Number 6
Given: 

A. Get the LCM of the denominators 4 and 8.

Since 8 is divisible by 4, the LCM of 4 and 8 is 8.
B. Convert the given to equivalent fractions whose denominator is 8.

Since   has already 8 as denominator, we only need to convert  .

.  (  which results to  ).

So,  .

C. Add the fractions. 

Answer: 

Solution to Number 7

Given: 
A. Get the LCM of the denominators 2, 3, and 6.
Six are both divisible by 2 and 3, sLCM of 2, 3, and 6 is 6.
B. Convert the given to equivalent fractions whose denominator is 6.

We only need to convert   and  .

  (  which results to  ).

  (  which results to  ).

So,   and  .

C. Add the fractions.

Answer:   or 

Solution to Number 8

Given: 

Answer: 

Solution to Number 9

Given:  .

A. Get the LCM of the denominators 3 and 9.

Since 9 is divisible by 3, the LCM of 3 and 9 is 9.
B. Convert the given to equivalent fractions whose denominator is 9.

We only need to convert  .

 (  which results to  ).

C. Add the fractions.

Answer:   or   in lowest terms.

Solution to Number 10
Given: 

A. Get the LCM of the denominators 8, 2,  and 3.

Multiples of 2: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26
Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30
Multiples of 8: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40
So, the LCM of 8, 2 and 3 is 24.
B. Convert the given to equivalent fractions whose denominator is 8.

  (  which results to  .)

 (  which results to  .)

 (  which results to  .)

So,  ,   and  .

C. Add the fractions.

Answer: 

Solution to Number 11

Given: 

A. Get the LCM of the denominators 7 and 21.

Since 21 is divisible by 7, the least common multiple of 7 and 21 is 21.
B. Convert the given to equivalent fractions whose denominator is 21.

We only need to convert  .

 :(  which gives  .)

So,  .

C. Add the fractions.

Answer: 

Solution to Number 12

Given: 

A. Get the LCM of the denominators 2, 3, and 10.

Multiples of 2: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32
Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33
Multiples of 10: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50
The LCM of 2, 3, and 10 is 30.
B. Convert the given to equivalent fractions whose denominator is 30.

 (  which results to  .)

 (  which results to  .)

 (  which results to  .)

So,  ,   and  .

C. Add the fractions.

Answer:    or   or   in lowest terms.

 

Solution to Number 13

Given: 

A. Get the LCM of the denominators 8, 5,  and 2.

Multiples of 2: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, …, 36, 38, 40, 42
Multiples of 5: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50
Multiples of 8: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56
So, the LCM of 8, 5, and 2 is 40.
B. Convert the given to equivalent fractions whose denominator is 40.

 (  which results to  .)

 (  which results to  .)

 (  which results to  .)

So,  ,   and  .

C. Add the fractions.

Answer:   or 

Solution to Number 14

Given: 

A. Get the LCM of the denominators 3, 9, and 6.

Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 21
Multiples of 6: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30
Multiples of 9: 9, 18, 27, 36, 45
So, the LCM of 3, 9 and 6 is 18.
B. Convert the given to equivalent fractions whose denominator is 18.

 (  which results to  .)

 (  which results to  .)

 (  which results to  .)

So,  ,   and  .

C. Add the fractions.

14. 

Answer: 

Solution to Number 15

Given: 

A. Get the LCM of the denominators 4, 3 and 6.

Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20
Multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15
Multiples of 6:  6, 12, 18, 24, 30
So, the LCM of 4, 3, and 6 is 12.
B. Convert the given to equivalent fractions whose denominator is 8.

 (  which results to  .)

 (  which results to  .)

  (  which results to  .)

So,  ,   and  .

C. Add the fractions.

Answer:   or 

This is a very long post so please inform me if you have spotted any errors in the solutions.

How to Multiply Fractions

Among the four fundamental operations on fractions, multiplication is the easiest. It is just
simple. Multiply the numerator and then the denominator. Of course, if the given fractions
can be converted to lowest terms, the easier the multiplication will be.

In this post, we are going to learn how to multiply fractions. You must master this operation,
as well as other fundamental operations on fractions because you will use them in higher
mathematics and solving word problems. Below are some examples.

Example 1

Solution

Answer:  .

Example 2

Solution

We reduce the fraction to lowest term by dividing both the numerator and the denominator
by 2. This results to $latex   which is the final answer.

Answer: 

Example 3
Solution

First, we reduce   by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by 3. This results
to  . We now multiply:

Answer:  .

Example 4

Solution

In this example, we need to convert the mixed fraction into improper fraction. To do this, we
multiply the denominator of the mixed fraction to the whole number and the product to the
denominator. That is

Now, let us multiply the two fractions.

Answer: 
Answers to the Multiplying Fractions Practice Test

In the previous post, we have learned how to multiply fractions. We have learned that it is
Below are the solutions and answers to the Practice Test on Multiplying Fractions.  If you
have forgotten the methods of calculation, you can read How to Multiply Fractions.
The methods shown in some of the solutions below is only one among the many. I have
mentioned some tips, but I don’t want to fill the solution with short cuts because there are
times that when you forget the shortcut, you are not able to solve the problem. My advice if
you want to pass the Civil Service Examination for Numerical Literacy is to master the
basics, practice a lot, and develop your own shortcuts.

1. 

Solution

2. 

Solution

Now, reducing to lowest term we have

3. 

Solution
Reducing to lowest terms, we have

Note: Notice that the numerator and the denominator of both fractions have 5’s. Since we
are multiplying them, we can actually cancel 5 from the start of the calculation making the
answer  .

4. 

Solution

In computations, if some fractions can be reduced to the lowest term before starting the
calculation, the better. In this case,   can be reduced to  , so we just multiply   and  .

Dividing both the numerator and the denominator by two reduces   to   which is the final
answer.

5. 

Solution

First, we reduce first   to   by dividing both the numerator and denominator by 3.  We then
multiply the two fractions.

We reduce to lowest terms by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by 2 which
results to  .

6. 
Solution

In this example, 11 and 22 are both multiples of 11.  Eleven is a numerator and 22 is a other
one is in the denominator. This way, you can cancel them by dividing both sides by 11. This
makes the first fraction   and the second fraction  . That is,

This gives the final product  .

7. 

Solution

When multiplying  whole numbers with fractions, just put 1 as the denominator of the whole
numbers.

Dividing both the numerator and denominator by 3, we have   or   in mixed fraction form.

8. 
Solution

Dividing the numerator and the denominator by 3, we have  .

9. 

Solution
Dividing both the numerator and the denominator by 9 gives   as the final answer.

10. 

Solution

First we convert   to improper fraction. That is,

Then we multiply:

The correct answer is  .

11. 

Solution
In this example, we convert   first to improper fraction. To convert, multiply the
denominator by the whole number and then add the numerator to the product. This will be
the numerator of the mixed fraction as shown in the following computation.

Now, converting   to mixed fraction gives us \frac{14}{9}$.

Multiplying the fractions, we have 

We can reduce the fraction to   by dividing   and   by 7. Therefore, the final answer
is   or
How to Divide Fractions

We have already discussed addition and multiplication of fractions and what we have left

are subtraction and division. In this post, we learn how to divide fractions.

To divide fractions, we must get the reciprocal of the divisor. This is just the same as
swapping the numerator and the denominator. For example, the reciprocal of   is  . After
getting the reciprocal, just multiply the fractions.

Example 1

 
Solution

First, we get the reciprocal of  , the divisor. This is  . Then, we multiply the fractions.

Answer: 

Example 2

Solution

First, we get the reciprocal of   which is  . Multiplying the fractions, we have

We reduce the answer to lowest terms by dividing both the numerator and denominator by 5
resulting to  .

Answer: 

Example 3
Solution
In dividing fractions, the dividend and the divisor must not be mixed fractions. Therefore, we
need to convert the mixed fraction to improper fraction. To do this, we multiply   by   and
then add  . The result becomes the numerator of the mixed fraction. So, the the equivalent
of   is  .

Multiplying the fractions, we have

We can convert the improper fraction to mixed form which is equal to

Answer: 

Example 4

Solution

If the divisor is a whole number, the reciprocal will be 1 “over” that number. In the given, the
reciprocal of   is  . After getting the reciprocal of the divisor, we multiply the two fractions:

Answer: 
Division of Fraction Practice Test Solutions and
Answers

This is the complete solutions and answers to the Practice Test on Division of Fractions. If
you are not familiar with the method, or you have forgotten how to do it, please read “ How
to Divide Fractions.“
In dividing fractions, you must convert all mixed fractions to improper fractions before
performing the division. The division involves getting the reciprocal (multiplicative inverse) of
the divisor, and then multiplying both fractions instead of dividing them.

1.)  .

Solution 
We get the reciprocal of    and multiply it to  . The reciprocal of   is  . So, 

(you can use cancellation to do this quickly). Reducing to lowest terms  by dividing both the
numerator and denominator by 2 results to  . Converting this improper fraction to mixed
form, we get  .

Answer:  .

2.) 

Solution 

The division   is the same as

Reducing to lowest terms by dividing both the numerator and the denominator of the
preceding fraction by  , we get   or  .
Answer: 

 
3.) 

Solution 

Any whole number in multiplication has a denominator  , so

Answer: 

4.) 

The reciprocal of   is  . Now, we multiply:

Dividing both the numerator and denominator by  , gives   as the lowest term.

Answer: 
5.) 

We get the reciprocal of  ,  we multiply:

Converting the improper fraction to mixed fraction gives us  .

Answer: 

6.) 

First we convert the mixed fraction to improper fraction, then multiply it to the reciprocal of  .
If we convert   to mixed fraction, we have  .

We now multiply:

Converting   to mixed form gives us  .

Answer: 
 

7.)  .

Converting   to mixed fractions gives us  . Now, multiplying   to the reciprocal of  .

Answer: 

8.)

Converting   to improper fraction gives us  . Now, converting   to improper gives us  .
Now, multiplying   to the reciprocal of  , we have

9.) 

The given above is the same as  . Now, converting   to improper fraction results to 
. Now, we multiply this result to the reciprocal of   which is  .

Answer:  .

10.) 

The fraction   in improper form is  . We multiply it to the reciprocal of  .

Answer:  .
How to Subtract Fractions
We have already learned the three operations on fractions namely addition, multiplication,
and division. In this post, we are going to learn the last elementary operation: subtraction. If
you have mastered addition of fractions, this will not be a problem for you because the
process is just the same. Let’s subtract fractions!

Example 1:  .
Solution
The given is a similar fraction (fraction whose denominators are the same), so just like in
addition, we just perform the operation on the numerators. Therefore, we just have to
subtract the numerator and copy the denominator. That is, 

We reduce to lowest term by dividing both the numerator and denominator of   by  . This
results to   which is the final answer.

Example 2:  .
Solution
The two fractions are dissimilar, so we must find their least common denominator. To do
this, we  find the least common multiple of   and  . The  common multiples of 2 are

 and so on

and the common multiples of   are

 and so on.

As we can see from the lists above,   is the least common multiple of   and  .

We now change the denominator of both fractions to  .

First, we find the equivalent fraction of  . That is,

.
To find the value of  ,  divide   by   and then multiply to  . The result is   which becomes
the numerator of the equivalent fraction. So, the equivalent fraction of   is  .  If you are
confused with this process, please read How to Add Fractions.

Now, we get the equivalent fraction of   or we find the value of   in  . We divide   by   
and then multiply it by  , which gives us  . So, the equivalent fraction of   is  .

We now subtract the fractions.

The final answer is  .

Example 3: 
Solution

First, we convert   to improper fraction. That is,

to get

The least common multiple of   and   is   (try listing as in example 2).

Now, to get the equivalent fraction, we have  . Now,  . This

means, the equivalent fraction

We also convert   to   which is equal to  .

Now, we subtract the fractions.

 Converting the answer which is an improper fraction to mixed number, we have

.