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Succeed with maths: part 1
Succeed with maths: part 1

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1 Adding and subtracting fractions

In this section, you will look at how to add and subtract numbers that include fractions. To get started you’ll look at visual representation to help you understand the process used.

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This method of changing the fractions into the same kind (using equivalent fractions) can be used for adding and subtracting fractions in general. If you want a reminder of equivalent fractions, return to Week 3.

If you need to add or subtract fractions, the first question you need to ask yourself is, ‘Are these the same kind of fractions?’ That is, are they divided into the same number of parts? Or in maths language, are the denominators the same? If the answer is no, then you need to convert the fractions into equivalent fractions with the same denominator in order to add or subtract them.