Arithmetic & Basics
Basic

Adding Fractions

Add two fractions using a common denominator.

Formula

ab+cd=ad+bcbd\frac{a}{b} + \frac{c}{d} = \frac{ad + bc}{bd}

Variables

a,bFirst fraction
c,dSecond fraction

Example

1/2 + 1/3 = 5/6

Did You Know?

The need for a common denominator is why the ancient Egyptians wrote everything as sums of unit fractions like 1/2 + 1/3.