To add ½ + ¼, what do you do first?

Make the denominators the same — You can only add fractions when the bottom numbers (denominators) match: ½ = ²⁄₄, so ²⁄₄ + ¼ = ¾.

JOMKELAS

Chapter 2

Fractions

Adding and subtracting fractions with a common denominator, and finding a fraction of an amount — with an interactive exercise.

We add, subtract and find fractions of amounts.

To add fractions, make the denominators the same: $\tfrac{1}{2} + \tfrac{1}{4} = \tfrac{2}{4} + \tfrac{1}{4} = \tfrac{3}{4}$. To find $\tfrac12$ of 20, share into two: 20 ÷ 2 = 10.

Remember

Add fractions only when the bottom numbers (denominators) are the same.
"Fraction of" means multiply: $\tfrac12$ of 20 = 10.

Stuck on this topic? A verified JomKelas tutor can walk you through it.

Find a verified tutor