You can add the whole part of the numbers separately - no need to convert those. Then add the fractional parts in the usual way, i.e., find a common denominator, convert the fractions to this denominator, and add the numerators. Here is an example:
5 1/2 + 3 2/3
Add the whole part and the fractional part separately:
8 + (1/2 + 2/3)
Convert to a common denominator:
8 + (3/6 + 4/6)
Add the fractional part:
8 7/6
Since in this case 7/6 is greater than 1, you need to subtract one, and add one to the whole part:
7 1/6
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Make the fractions equivalent then subtract
Yes.
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.
You have to convert them to equivalent similar fractions (fractions with the same denominator) first.
You convert them both to improper fractions by multiplying the denominators by the whole number and then adding the numerator to it. This number goes in the numerator and the denominator stays the same. Then you do this for the other fraction, making sure that the denominators of each fraction are equivalent. Then add the fractions as normal.