Find the least common multiple. For example, if the denominators were 6 and 7, the least common multiple would be 42.
the fractions have different denominators
No
First convert the mixed numbers into "top heavy (or "improper) fractions". Now multiply each of the improper fractions by each other - this makes the denominators the same. Now you can add both the fractions together (and cancel down if necessary).
First, unmix the numbers ((denominator times whole number plus numerator) over denominator). Then multiply the numerators together and the denominators together. The numerator of the product is the product of the numerators of all of the multiplicands, and the denominator of the product is the product of the denominators of all of the multiplicands. Third, simplify.
Written as improper fractions, divide the numerators (converting any resulting improper fraction to a mixed number if required).However, I would rather not remember this short cut as it could result in being used inappropriately (when the denominators are different), but instead stick to using the standard method, writing out the calculation in full and cancelling down before doing the actual multiplications.The same way as mixed numbers without like denominators:Convert the mixed numbers into improper (top heavy) fractions.Invert (turn upside down) the divisor.Multiply the fractions together (by multiplying the numerators together and the denominators together).However, with the same denominators, in inverting the divisor it will mean that its numerator is the same as the denominator of the [original] dividend and so will cancel, leaving the result as the numerator of the first improper fraction over the numerator of the second - dividing the improper fractions' numerators.
the fractions have different denominators
No
First convert the mixed numbers into "top heavy (or "improper) fractions". Now multiply each of the improper fractions by each other - this makes the denominators the same. Now you can add both the fractions together (and cancel down if necessary).
First, unmix the numbers ((denominator times whole number plus numerator) over denominator). Then multiply the numerators together and the denominators together. The numerator of the product is the product of the numerators of all of the multiplicands, and the denominator of the product is the product of the denominators of all of the multiplicands. Third, simplify.
Written as improper fractions, divide the numerators (converting any resulting improper fraction to a mixed number if required).However, I would rather not remember this short cut as it could result in being used inappropriately (when the denominators are different), but instead stick to using the standard method, writing out the calculation in full and cancelling down before doing the actual multiplications.The same way as mixed numbers without like denominators:Convert the mixed numbers into improper (top heavy) fractions.Invert (turn upside down) the divisor.Multiply the fractions together (by multiplying the numerators together and the denominators together).However, with the same denominators, in inverting the divisor it will mean that its numerator is the same as the denominator of the [original] dividend and so will cancel, leaving the result as the numerator of the first improper fraction over the numerator of the second - dividing the improper fractions' numerators.
Before you can do that, you need to write each mixed number as an improper fraction, and then write both fractions with a common denominator. The only other choice is to write both mixed numbers as decimals, and then add them.
Convert them to improper fractions and proceed.
You re-scale them so that the denominators are the same.
False [ I THINK ]
the denominators
Convert them to improper fractions with common denominators and proceed.
convert both to numbers with lowest common denominator then add