Name: ______________________________________ Date: ________

ADDITION OF DISSIMILAR FRACTIONS

LS 3
Pretest
Find the least common denominator (LCD) of the following sets of
fractions.

1) , 2) ,

3) , 4) , ,

5) , , 6) , ,
 ADDITION OF DISSIMILAR FRACTIONS
LS 3

Objective: Add dissimilar fractions

Stu dy and Learn

1 1
Sarah bought kilogram of lanzones and kilogram of grapes for her
2 4
grandmother. How many kilograms of fruits did she buy in all?

What shall we do to solve the problem? We shall add.

1 1
What are we going to add? and
2 4

1 1
What kind of fractions are and ? They are dissimilar fractions.
2 4

Do you know how to add dissimilar fractions?

Look closely as we solve the problem.

Through illustration:

Change to
similar fractions +

1 1
+
2 4

Add the numerators 1 1

+ =
2 4
and use the same
denominators.

3 3
The sum is . Therefore, Sarah bought kilogram of fruits in all.
4 4
By computation:

STEP 1

Find the least common denominator (LCD).

1 ❑
2
= 4
1 ❑
4 = 4

STEP 2

Find fractions equal to the given fractions.

1 2 3
x =
2 2 4

1 1
4 =4

STEP 3

Add the numerators and use the common denominator. Reduce

to lowest term if possible.

1 2
2 4

1 1
+ +
4 4

3
Likewise, the answer is .
4
Let’s have another example.

3 ❑ 3 5 15 15
= x =
9 45 9 5 45 45
3 ❑ 3 9 27 27
+ = + x =
5 45 5 9 45 45
33 11
=
45 15
11
The sum is .
15
Wrap Up

In adding dissimilar fractions, follow these steps:

• Find the LCD of the given fractions.
 • Change the fractions into similar fractions.
• Add.
• Always express the answer in lowest terms.
Name: ______________________________________ Date: ________

ADDITION OF DISSIMILAR FRACTIONS

LS 3

Post test

A. Solve and copy the correct answer on your paper.

2) + =( , , )

3) + + =(1 ,1 ,1 )

4) + + =(2 ,2 ,2 )

5) + + =(1 ,1 ,1 )

6) + + =(1 ,1 ,1 )

B. Find the sum and express it in its lowest terms.

3 2 1 3
1) + = 2) + =
11 3 4 5

3 1 3 4 1 3
3) + + = 4) + + =
5 8 4 9 3 4

2 1 3
5) + + =
5 3 6