Addition of Fractions
Learn how to combine fractional parts to find their total!
What is Adding Fractions?
Adding fractions means combining two or more fractional parts into one. We're finding the total of fractional quantities, and the result is called the sum.
Real-Life Example: If you eat 1⁄4 of a pizza, then eat another 2⁄4, you've eaten 3⁄4 of the pizza in total!
Interactive visualization — available in the full lesson
The Key Rule for Adding Fractions
Important Rule: Fractions can only be added directly when they have the SAME DENOMINATOR!
Same Denominator = Can Add Directly
2⁄7 + 3⁄7 = 5⁄7
Same-sized parts (sevenths)Different Denominators = Convert First
1⁄2 + 1⁄3 = ?
Different-sized parts need conversion