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Because God made it so O.o

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Q: Why can't fractions with two different denominators be added or subtracted?
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Fractions can be added and subtracted only if they're fractions?

We can only add or subtract fractions if they have the same denominators


What is the definition of unlike fractions?

That simply means that the fractions have different denominators. Such fractions cannot be directly added, subtracted, or compared; you have to convert them to a common denominator first.


How do you know whether to use common factors or multiples to solve a problem?

The hcf is useful in reducing fractions to their lowest terms and the lcm is useful in finding the lowest common denominator of fractions that have different denominators that need to be added or subtracted.


Adding and subtracting unlike denominators?

Fractions can only be added or subtracted if the denominators are the same. If the denominators are different, then the fractions need to be made into equivalent fractions with the same denominator. The new denominator can be found simply by multiplying the denominators together, but this can lead to some large fractions with which to work. A better new denominator is the lowest common multiple of (all the) denominators. (Once the new denominator is found, the fractions' new numerators are found by multiplying their current numerator by the new denominator divided by their current denominator to make their equivalent fractions with the new denominator.) Once all the fractions are converted into equivalent fractions with the new denominator then the fractions can be added or subtracted, with the result being simplified (if possible).


Why do you convert unlike fractions?

Unlike fractions have denominators that are unequal, and therefore cannot be added or subtracted. If two fractions need to be added or subtracted they must first be converted to like fractions.


What is unlike denominators?

Two or more fractions having different denominators have unlike denominators. To do addition and subtraction operations with fractions, all fractions must be converted to have like denominators before the numerators can be added or subtracted. For example, 1/2 + 5/6 + 3/8 = 12/24 + 20/24 + 9/24 = 41/24 = 1 17/24


How do you change fractions into like terms?

When the denominators of two or more fractions are the SAME, then they can be added or subtracted directly. An easy way is to multiply each denominator by the other (along with its corresponding numerator).


LCD of two or more fractions mean?

LCD is the Lowest Common Denominator which is the lowest number into which the denominators of all the fractions will each divide exactly. Each of the fractions can then be converted to an equivalent fraction with the new denominator which then allows the fractions to be added and/or subtracted.


Can you add numbers with different numerators?

Yes, 'fractions' with different numerators can be added, but not with different denominators. In the case where you have different denominators, you must find the LCM (lowest common multiple).


Find the LCD then add or subtract?

To add or subtract fractions the denominators must be the same - then the numerators are added or subtracted with the denominator being kept the same.When adding or subtracting fractions with different denominators, the fractions must first be converted into equivalent fractions with the same denominator and then the (new) numerators can be added or subtracted as required.For the denominator for these equivalent fractions, the original denominators can all be multiplied together, but this can lead to having to work with very large numbers; a better choice for the denominator is the smallest number that all the denominators divide into, their Least Common Multiple (LCM) - this is is then used as the denominator for the equivalent fractions and is called the Least Common Denominator (LCD) of the fractions.First you find the LCD okay??? Then you have to add or subtract. What they mean by that is that once you've found your lcd add or subtract..xx hope i helped :)


How is adding like fractions and adding unlike fractions the same?

If the denominators are not the same, then you have to use equivalent fractions which do have a common denominator . To do this, you need to find the least common multiple (LCM) of the two denominators. To add fractions with unlike denominators, rename the fractions with a common denominator. Then add and simplify.


Fractions can be added and subtracted only if they're what fractions?

like, common denominator