| Operation | Problem | Answer | Explanation |
| Addition | 1/2 + 1/3 = | 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6 | The denominators (bottom numbers) have to be the same, so change 2 and 3 to 6 becuase that is the least common multiple. Then don't forget, what you multiply to the bottom, you have to do the same to the top. Then you can add across to get 5/6. |
| Subtraction | 1/2 - 2/8 = | 1/4 | The least common denominator is 8, so the first fraction changes to 4/8 and the second fraction stays the same. 4 - 2 is 2, so the answer is 2/8 which can be reduced to 1/4. Remember to have the same denominators before you subtract. |
| Multiplication | 2/3 x 5/6 = | 10/18 = 5/9 | Multiply across, so take 2 times 5 and 3 times 6. Reduce the final fraction by 2 and get a fraction that you cannot reduce anymore. |
| Division | 2/3 � 5/6 = | 2/3 x 6/5 = 12/15 = 4/5 | Invert the second fraction to make it 6/5 and change the division sign to multiplication. Multiply across and reduce the fraction. |
To learn more about fractions, the following are some great sites to learn more about fractions:
View Fractions in Circles and on Number Lines
AAAMath Tutorials on Fractions
