How do you add two fractions?I have a fraction I am trying to solve. I know the answer already, as Wolfram says it is 143 300 . The fraction is: 5 12 + 3 50 = ?Please explain why and how your method works.

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How do you add two fractions?I have a fraction I am trying to solve. I know the answer already, as Wolfram says it is       143    300  . The fraction is:      5    12    +      3    50    =     ?Please explain why and how your method works.

Immanuel Glenn · Accepted Answer

Null has given you a good way. Here&#039;s a way without worrying about the LCM:            a      b        +            c      d        =                    a        d        +        b        c                    b        d            In the example,            5      12        +            3      50        =                    (        5        )        (        50        )        +        (        12        )        (        3        )                    (        12        )        (        50        )              =            286      600        =            143      300      The price of not worrying about the LCM is that you get an answer   286      /    600 , that isn&#039;t in lowest terms, so you have the extra step at the end of reducing the fraction.

Rebecca Villa · Accepted Answer

The fractions need to have the same denominator in order to add them together. The denominator must be the least common multiple of the two denominators, or a multiple of it. The least common multiple of 12 and 50 is 300.First multiply   5      /    12 by   25      /    25. Since   25      /    25  =  1 the product is the same as the original fraction. You simply multiply the numerators together and the denominators together:      5    12    ×      25    25    =      125    300  Then multiply   3      /    50 by   6      /    6 . Again, the product is the same as the original fraction:      3    50    ×      6    6    =      18    300  Now both fractions have the same denominator and you can simply add the numerators:      125    300    +      18    300    =      143    300

How do you add two fractions? I have a fraction I am trying to solve. I know the answer already, as

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