Add and Subtract Fractions with Common Denominators

4.4 Add and Subtract Fractions with Common Denominators

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Model fraction addition
Add fractions with a common denominator
Model fraction subtraction
Subtract fractions with a common denominator

Be Prepared 4.9

Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.

Simplify: $2 x + 9 + 3 x - 4 .$
If you missed this problem, review Example 2.22.

Be Prepared 4.10

Draw a model of the fraction $\frac{3}{4} .$
If you missed this problem, review Example 4.2.

Be Prepared 4.11

Simplify: $\frac{3 + 2}{6} .$
If you missed this problem, review Example 4.48.

Model Fraction Addition

How many quarters are pictured? One quarter plus $2$ quarters equals $3$ quarters.

Three U.S. quarters are shown. One is shown on the left, and two are shown on the right.

Remember, quarters are really fractions of a dollar. Quarters are another way to say fourths. So the picture of the coins shows that

\begin{matrix} \frac{1}{4} & \frac{2}{4} & \frac{3}{4} \\ one quarter & + & two quarters & = & three quarters \end{matrix}

Let’s use fraction circles to model the same example, $\frac{1}{4} + \frac{2}{4} .$

Start with one $\frac{1}{4}$ piece.		$The mathematical fraction 1/4, representing one-fourth, is clearly displayed on a white background.$
Add two more $\frac{1}{4}$ pieces.		$A mathematical expression featuring a plus sign followed by the fraction two over four, with a blank line or underscore beneath it, indicating an operation or a problem to be solved.$
The result is $\frac{3}{4}$ .		$A white background with the fraction 3/4 written in black text on the right side.$

So again, we see that

\frac{1}{4} + \frac{2}{4} = \frac{3}{4}

Manipulative Mathematics

Doing the Manipulative Mathematics activity "Model Fraction Addition" will help you develop a better understanding of adding fractions

Example 4.52

Use a model to find the sum $\frac{3}{8} + \frac{2}{8} .$

Solution

Start with three $\frac{1}{8}$ pieces.		$The image displays the fraction 3/8, written vertically with the numeral 3 above a horizontal line and the numeral 8 below it, centered on a white background.$
Add two $\frac{1}{8}$ pieces.		$A mathematical expression shows a plus sign followed by the fraction two-eighths (+ 2/8) with a horizontal line underneath, likely indicating part of a larger sum or equation.$
How many $\frac{1}{8}$ pieces are there?		$The fraction 5/8 is displayed against a plain white background.$

There are five $\frac{1}{8}$ pieces, or five-eighths. The model shows that $\frac{3}{8} + \frac{2}{8} = \frac{5}{8} .$

Try It 4.103

Use a model to find each sum. Show a diagram to illustrate your model.

$\frac{1}{8} + \frac{4}{8}$

Try It 4.104

Use a model to find each sum. Show a diagram to illustrate your model.

$\frac{1}{6} + \frac{4}{6}$

Add Fractions with a Common Denominator

Example 4.52 shows that to add the same-size pieces—meaning that the fractions have the same denominator—we just add the number of pieces.

Fraction Addition

If $a, b,$ and $c$ are numbers where $c \neq 0,$ then

\frac{a}{c} + \frac{b}{c} = \frac{a + b}{c}

To add fractions with a common denominator, add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator.

Example 4.53

Find the sum: $\frac{3}{5} + \frac{1}{5} .$

Solution

	$\frac{3}{5} + \frac{1}{5}$
Add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator.	$\frac{3 + 1}{5}$
Simplify.	$\frac{4}{5}$

Step-by-step guide for adding fractions with a common denominator.

Try It 4.105

Find each sum: $\frac{3}{6} + \frac{2}{6} .$

Try It 4.106

Find each sum: $\frac{3}{10} + \frac{7}{10} .$

Example 4.54

Find the sum: $\frac{x}{3} + \frac{2}{3} .$

Solution

	$\frac{x}{3} + \frac{2}{3}$
Add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator.	$\frac{x + 2}{3}$

Illustrates adding fractions with a common denominator, showing the instructional step and the resulting expression.

Note that we cannot simplify this fraction any more. Since $x$ and $2$ are not like terms, we cannot combine them.

Try It 4.107

Find the sum: $\frac{x}{4} + \frac{3}{4} .$

Try It 4.108

Find the sum: $\frac{y}{8} + \frac{5}{8} .$

Example 4.55

Find the sum: $- \frac{9}{d} + \frac{3}{d} .$

Solution

We will begin by rewriting the first fraction with the negative sign in the numerator.

$- \frac{a}{b} = \frac{- a}{b}$

	$- \frac{9}{d} + \frac{3}{d}$
Rewrite the first fraction with the negative in the numerator.	$\frac{−9}{d} + \frac{3}{d}$
Add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator.	$\frac{−9 + 3}{d}$
Simplify the numerator.	$\frac{−6}{d}$
Rewrite with negative sign in front of the fraction.	$- \frac{6}{d}$

Illustrates the step-by-step simplification of -9/d + 3/d, showing the process of adding fractions with a common denominator.

Try It 4.109

Find the sum: $- \frac{7}{d} + \frac{8}{d} .$

Try It 4.110

Find the sum: $- \frac{6}{m} + \frac{9}{m} .$

Example 4.56

Find the sum: $\frac{2 n}{11} + \frac{5 n}{11} .$

Solution

	$\frac{2 n}{11} + \frac{5 n}{11}$
Add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator.	$\frac{2 n + 5 n}{11}$
Combine like terms.	$\frac{7 n}{11}$

This table illustrates the step-by-step simplification of an algebraic expression involving fractions with a common denominator.

Try It 4.111

Find the sum: $\frac{3 p}{8} + \frac{6 p}{8} .$

Try It 4.112

Find the sum: $\frac{2 q}{5} + \frac{7 q}{5} .$

Example 4.57

Find the sum: $- \frac{3}{12} + (- \frac{5}{12}) .$

Solution

	$- \frac{3}{12} + (- \frac{5}{12})$
Add the numerators and place the sum over the common denominator.	$\frac{−3 + (−5)}{12}$
Add.	$\frac{−8}{12}$
Simplify the fraction.	$- \frac{2}{3}$

Steps to add and simplify two negative fractions with a common denominator.

Try It 4.113

Find each sum: $- \frac{4}{15} + (- \frac{6}{15}) .$

Try It 4.114

Find each sum: $- \frac{5}{21} + (- \frac{9}{21}) .$

Model Fraction Subtraction

Subtracting two fractions with common denominators is much like adding fractions. Think of a pizza that was cut into $12$ slices. Suppose five pieces are eaten for dinner. This means that, after dinner, there are seven pieces (or $\frac{7}{12}$ of the pizza) left in the box. If Leonardo eats $2$ of these remaining pieces (or $\frac{2}{12}$ of the pizza), how much is left? There would be $5$ pieces left (or $\frac{5}{12}$ of the pizza).

\frac{7}{12} - \frac{2}{12} = \frac{5}{12}

Let’s use fraction circles to model the same example, $\frac{7}{12} - \frac{2}{12} .$

Start with seven $\frac{1}{12}$ pieces. Take away two $\frac{1}{12}$ pieces. How many twelfths are left?

The bottom reads 7 twelfths minus 2 twelfths equals 5 twelfths. Above 7 twelfths, there is a circle divided into 12 equal pieces, with 7 pieces shaded in orange. Above 2 twelfths, the same circle is shown, but 2 of the 7 pieces are shaded in grey. Above 5 twelfths, the 2 grey pieces are no longer shaded, so there is a circle divided into 12 pieces with 5 of the pieces shaded in orange.

Again, we have five twelfths, $\frac{5}{12} .$

Manipulative Mathematics

Doing the Manipulative Mathematics activity "Model Fraction Subtraction" will help you develop a better understanding of subtracting fractions.

Example 4.58

Use fraction circles to find the difference: $\frac{4}{5} - \frac{1}{5} .$

Solution

Start with four $\frac{1}{5}$ pieces. Take away one $\frac{1}{5}$ piece. Count how many fifths are left. There are three $\frac{1}{5}$ pieces left.

The bottom reads 4 fifths minus 1 fifth equals 3 fifths. Above 4 fifths, there is a circle divided into 5 equal pieces, with 4 pieces shaded in orange. Above 1 fifth, the same circle is shown, but 1 of the 4 shaded pieces is shaded in grey. Above 3 fifths, the 1 grey piece is no longer shaded, so there is a circle divided into 5 pieces with 3 of the pieces shaded in orange.

Try It 4.115

Use a model to find each difference. Show a diagram to illustrate your model.

$\frac{7}{8} - \frac{4}{8}$

Try It 4.116

Use a model to find each difference. Show a diagram to illustrate your model.

$\frac{5}{6} - \frac{4}{6}$

Subtract Fractions with a Common Denominator

We subtract fractions with a common denominator in much the same way as we add fractions with a common denominator.

Fraction Subtraction

If $a, b,$ and $c$ are numbers where $c \neq 0,$ then

\frac{a}{c} - \frac{b}{c} = \frac{a - b}{c}

To subtract fractions with a common denominator, we subtract the numerators and place the difference over the common denominator.

Example 4.59

Find the difference: $\frac{23}{24} - \frac{14}{24} .$

Solution

	$\frac{23}{24} - \frac{14}{24}$
Subtract the numerators and place the difference over the common denominator.	$\frac{23 - 14}{24}$
Simplify the numerator.	$\frac{9}{24}$
Simplify the fraction by removing common factors.	$\frac{3}{8}$

Steps for subtracting fractions with a common denominator and simplifying the result.

Try It 4.117

Find the difference: $\frac{19}{28} - \frac{7}{28} .$

Try It 4.118

Find the difference: $\frac{27}{32} - \frac{11}{32} .$

Example 4.60

Find the difference: $\frac{y}{6} - \frac{1}{6} .$

Solution

	$\frac{y}{6} - \frac{1}{6}$
Subtract the numerators and place the difference over the common denominator.	$\frac{y - 1}{6}$

Simplification of a fractional expression by subtracting numerators over a common denominator.

The fraction is simplified because we cannot combine the terms in the numerator.

Try It 4.119

Find the difference: $\frac{x}{7} - \frac{2}{7} .$

Try It 4.120

Find the difference: $\frac{y}{14} - \frac{13}{14} .$

Example 4.61

Find the difference: $- \frac{10}{x} - \frac{4}{x} .$

Solution

Remember, the fraction $- \frac{10}{x}$ can be written as $\frac{−10}{x} .$

	$- \frac{10}{x} - \frac{4}{x}$
Subtract the numerators.	$\frac{−10 - 4}{x}$
Simplify.	$\frac{−14}{x}$
Rewrite with the negative sign in front of the fraction.	$- \frac{14}{x}$

Steps demonstrating the subtraction and simplification of an algebraic expression involving fractions with a common denominator.

Try It 4.121

Find the difference: $- \frac{9}{x} - \frac{7}{x} .$

Try It 4.122

Find the difference: $- \frac{17}{a} - \frac{5}{a} .$

Now lets do an example that involves both addition and subtraction.

Example 4.62

Simplify: $\frac{3}{8} + (- \frac{5}{8}) - \frac{1}{8} .$

Solution

	$\frac{3}{8} + (- \frac{5}{8}) - \frac{1}{8}$
Combine the numerators over the common denominator.	$\frac{3 + (−5) - 1}{8}$
Simplify the numerator, working left to right.	$\frac{−2 - 1}{8}$
Subtract the terms in the numerator.	$\frac{−3}{8}$
Rewrite with the negative sign in front of the fraction.	$- \frac{3}{8}$

Step-by-step solution for adding and subtracting fractions with common denominators.

Try It 4.123

Simplify: $\frac{2}{5} + (- \frac{4}{5}) - \frac{3}{5} .$

Try It 4.124

Simplify: $\frac{5}{9} + (- \frac{4}{9}) - \frac{7}{9} .$

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Section 4.4 Exercises

Practice Makes Perfect

Model Fraction Addition

In the following exercises, use a model to add the fractions. Show a diagram to illustrate your model.

254.

$\frac{2}{5} + \frac{1}{5}$

255.

$\frac{3}{10} + \frac{4}{10}$

256.

$\frac{1}{6} + \frac{3}{6}$

257.

$\frac{3}{8} + \frac{3}{8}$

Add Fractions with a Common Denominator

In the following exercises, find each sum.

258.

$\frac{4}{9} + \frac{1}{9}$

259.

$\frac{2}{9} + \frac{5}{9}$

260.

$\frac{6}{13} + \frac{7}{13}$

261.

$\frac{9}{15} + \frac{7}{15}$

262.

$\frac{x}{4} + \frac{3}{4}$

263.

$\frac{y}{3} + \frac{2}{3}$

264.

$\frac{7}{p} + \frac{9}{p}$

265.

$\frac{8}{q} + \frac{6}{q}$

266.

$\frac{8 b}{9} + \frac{3 b}{9}$

267.

$\frac{5 a}{7} + \frac{4 a}{7}$

268.

$\frac{−12 y}{8} + \frac{3 y}{8}$

269.

$\frac{−11 x}{5} + \frac{7 x}{5}$

270.

$- \frac{1}{8} + (- \frac{3}{8})$

271.

$- \frac{1}{8} + (- \frac{5}{8})$

272.

$- \frac{3}{16} + (- \frac{7}{16})$

273.

$- \frac{5}{16} + (- \frac{9}{16})$

274.

$- \frac{8}{17} + \frac{15}{17}$

275.

$- \frac{9}{19} + \frac{17}{19}$

276.

$\frac{6}{13} + (- \frac{10}{13}) + (- \frac{12}{13})$

277.

$\frac{5}{12} + (- \frac{7}{12}) + (- \frac{11}{12})$

Model Fraction Subtraction

In the following exercises, use a model to subtract the fractions. Show a diagram to illustrate your model.

278.

$\frac{5}{8} - \frac{2}{8}$

279.

$\frac{5}{6} - \frac{2}{6}$

Subtract Fractions with a Common Denominator

In the following exercises, find the difference.

280.

$\frac{4}{5} - \frac{1}{5}$

281.

$\frac{4}{5} - \frac{3}{5}$

282.

$\frac{11}{15} - \frac{7}{15}$

283.

$\frac{9}{13} - \frac{4}{13}$

284.

$\frac{11}{12} - \frac{5}{12}$

285.

$\frac{7}{12} - \frac{5}{12}$

286.

$\frac{4}{21} - \frac{19}{21}$

287.

$- \frac{8}{9} - \frac{16}{9}$

288.

$\frac{y}{17} - \frac{9}{17}$

289.

$\frac{x}{19} - \frac{8}{19}$

290.

$\frac{5 y}{8} - \frac{7}{8}$

291.

$\frac{11 z}{13} - \frac{8}{13}$

292.

$- \frac{8}{d} - \frac{3}{d}$

293.

$- \frac{7}{c} - \frac{7}{c}$

294.

$- \frac{23}{u} - \frac{15}{u}$

295.

$- \frac{29}{v} - \frac{26}{v}$

296.

$\frac{6 c}{7} - \frac{5 c}{7}$

297.

$\frac{12 d}{11} - \frac{9 d}{11}$

298.

$\frac{−4 r}{13} - \frac{5 r}{13}$

299.

$\frac{−7 s}{3} - \frac{7 s}{3}$

300.

$- \frac{3}{5} - (- \frac{4}{5})$

301.

$- \frac{3}{7} - (- \frac{5}{7})$

302.

$- \frac{7}{9} - (- \frac{5}{9})$

303.

$- \frac{8}{11} - (- \frac{5}{11})$

Mixed Practice

In the following exercises, perform the indicated operation and write your answers in simplified form.

304.

$- \frac{5}{18} \cdot \frac{9}{10}$

305.

$- \frac{3}{14} \cdot \frac{7}{12}$

306.

$\frac{n}{5} - \frac{4}{5}$

307.

$\frac{6}{11} - \frac{s}{11}$

308.

$- \frac{7}{24} + \frac{2}{24}$

309.

$- \frac{5}{18} + \frac{1}{18}$

310.

$\frac{8}{15} \div \frac{12}{5}$

311.

$\frac{7}{12} \div \frac{9}{28}$

Everyday Math

312.

Trail Mix Jacob is mixing together nuts and raisins to make trail mix. He has $\frac{6}{10}$ of a pound of nuts and $\frac{3}{10}$ of a pound of raisins. How much trail mix can he make?

313.

Baking Janet needs $\frac{5}{8}$ of a cup of flour for a recipe she is making. She only has $\frac{3}{8}$ of a cup of flour and will ask to borrow the rest from her next-door neighbor. How much flour does she have to borrow?

Writing Exercises

314.

Greg dropped his case of drill bits and three of the bits fell out. The case has slots for the drill bits, and the slots are arranged in order from smallest to largest. Greg needs to put the bits that fell out back in the case in the empty slots. Where do the three bits go? Explain how you know.
Bits in case: $\frac{1}{16}$ , $\frac{1}{8}$ , ___, ___, $\frac{5}{16}$ , $\frac{3}{8}$ , ___, $\frac{1}{2}$ , $\frac{9}{16}$ , $\frac{5}{8}$ .
Bits that fell out: $\frac{7}{16}$ , $\frac{3}{16}$ , $\frac{1}{4}$ .

315.

After a party, Lupe has $\frac{5}{12}$ of a cheese pizza, $\frac{4}{12}$ of a pepperoni pizza, and $\frac{4}{12}$ of a veggie pizza left. Will all the slices fit into $1$ pizza box? Explain your reasoning.

Self Check

ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.

Fraction skills self-assessment table. Users rate their ability to model and add/subtract fractions with common denominators: 'Confidently', 'With some help', or 'No - I don't get it!'

ⓑ On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate your mastery of this section in light of your responses on the checklist? How can you improve this?