Adding Three or More Fractions - Step-by-step

To add 3 or more like fractions, we simply have to use a single denominator and add the numerators. On the other hand, to add 3 or more unlike fractions, we have to find the least common denominator and write equivalent fractions with that denominator. Then, we combine the fractions and add the numerators.

Here, we will learn how to add 3 or more fractions, both like fractions and unlike. We will use several examples with answers to understand the concepts.

ARITHMETIC
Adding 3 or more fractions

Relevant for...

Learning to add 3 or more like and unlike fractions.

See steps

ARITHMETIC
Adding 3 or more fractions

Relevant for...

Learning to add 3 or more like and unlike fractions.

See steps

Steps to add three or more fractions

An addition of three or more fractions can be solved using the same steps used to solve the addition of two fractions. Depending on the type of fractions we have, we can use different steps.

Adding three or more like fractions

To solve an addition of three or more fractions with the same denominators (like fractions), we can follow these steps:

Step 1: Recognize the numerator (top number) and denominator (bottom number) and make sure that the denominator of all fractions is the same.

Step 2: Use a single denominator to write the fractions. We can combine the fractions using a single denominator and form an addition with the numerators.

Step 3: Solve the addition of the numerators of the fraction obtained in step 2.

Step 4: Simplify the final fraction if possible.

Adding three or more unlike fractions

To solve an addition of three or more fractions with different denominators (unlike fractions), we can follow these steps:

Step 1: Find the least common denominator (LCD) of the fractions.

Step 2: Divide the LCD by the denominator of each fraction.

Step 3: Multiply both the numerator and the denominator by the number obtained in step 2.

Step 4: Add the like fractions obtained from step 3.

Step 5: Simplify the final fraction if possible.

Adding 3 or more fractions - Examples with answers

The following examples are solved using the steps to add like and unlike fractions seen above. Try to solve the examples yourself before looking at the solution.

EXAMPLE 1

Find the answer to the addition $latex \frac{3}{5}+\frac{2}{5}+\frac{1}{5}$.

Solution

EXAMPLE 2

Solve the addition $latex \frac{1}{5}+\frac{6}{10}+\frac{4}{5}$.

Solution

EXAMPLE 3

Solve the addition $latex \frac{2}{3}+\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{2}$.

Solution

EXAMPLE 4

Find the result of $latex \frac{2}{5}+\frac{3}{4}+\frac{1}{2}$.

Solution

EXAMPLE 5

Find the result of $latex \frac{2}{3}+\frac{1}{3}+\frac{2}{7}+\frac{3}{7}$.

Solution

EXAMPLE 6

Find the result of $latex \frac{3}{4}+\frac{2}{3}+\frac{4}{5}+\frac{1}{2}$.

Solution

Addition of 3 or more fractions - Practice problems

Solve the following examples by applying everything learned about the addition of 3 or more like and unlike fractions.

Find the result of the addition $latex \frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{4}+\frac{2}{5}$.

Choose an answer






Solve the addition $latex \frac{4}{5}+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{3}$.

Choose an answer






Solve the addition $latex \frac{2}{5}+\frac{1}{5}+\frac{2}{3}$.

Choose an answer






Solve the addition $latex \frac{1}{3}+\frac{3}{5}+\frac{2}{3}+\frac{1}{5}$.

Choose an answer






What is the result of the addition $latex \frac{1}{7}+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{2}{3}+\frac{1}{3}$?

Choose an answer






See also

Interested in learning more about adding fractions? You can take a look at these pages:

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