Adding similar fractions is easy, but adding dissimilar ones requires an additional step. Before you begin, you must know a few important key terms. First, the number on the top of a fraction is called the numerator, while the number on the bottom of a fraction is called the denominator. Similar fractions have the same denominator, also called a common denominator. To add dissimilar fractions (fractions with different denominators), you must first convert the fractions so that the denominators are the same.
If their denominators are different then find their lowest common denominator by means of their lowest common multiple remembering to adjust their numerators accordingly before adding or subtracting.
if you have mixed numbers you make them into improper fractions before you multiply
First find the lowest common denominator and then adjust the fractions accordingly before subtracting the numerators
Before adding or subtracting two fractions they are converted into like fractions. Explain with examples why this is necessary.
They have to have the same denominator.
Unless you own a cargo ship and run it on crude oil - some operators do - it has to be separated into fractions before it's usable.
no
You can eliminate the fractions before proceeding to solve the equation to allow for easy factorization.
you must make the fractions equivalent and with the same denomenator
Before you can do that, you have to put them all over the same denomanatr. That's why math classes work on common factors and common multiples before you get into adding fractions.
You can only add like to like. There is no mechanism for adding different types of fraction.