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Unless you are using a calculator that adds them for you, it is much harder to add fractions with uncommon denominators. Having the same denominator allows you to only have to add the numerators for your answer.

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Q: Why do you need a common denominator when you add fractions?
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Do you need a common denominator for all fractions before doing the order of operations?

You DO need a common denominator to add, subtract, or compare fractions. You DO NOT need a common denominator to multiply or divide fractions.


Why do you need a common denominator?

Common Denominator means that the denominators in two (or more) fractions are common, or the same. The common denominator is important because before you can add or subtract fractions, the fractions need to have a common denominator.Sometimes fractions have different denominators, like 2/3 and 3/4. If you want to add or subtract them, they need to have the same denominator. In order to do that, you find a common denominator which is the same thing as a common multiple, only with denominators.


When do you need a common denominator?

The denominators must be the same before you can add or subtract fractions.


Why do fractions need to have a common denominator?

They need a common denominator when you add them. For example, if you want to add 1/2 and 1/3, you need to change the fractions to equivalents that share the same denominator, so you can combine them. 1/2 + 1/3 = 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6


What is halfway between 1 over 4 and 1 over 2?

Just add the fractions, and divide by 2. Before adding, you have to convert to a common denominator; in this case, you can use "4" as the common denominator.Just add the fractions, and divide by 2. Before adding, you have to convert to a common denominator; in this case, you can use "4" as the common denominator.Just add the fractions, and divide by 2. Before adding, you have to convert to a common denominator; in this case, you can use "4" as the common denominator.Just add the fractions, and divide by 2. Before adding, you have to convert to a common denominator; in this case, you can use "4" as the common denominator.