Addition of Fractions

Reduce the fractions to their simplest form, reduce the resulting fractions to their common denominator and then add the numerators together. If the numbers are given as whole numbers plus a fraction, add the whole numbers and fractions each separately and then reduce the result.

Examples

(1) Find the sum of , of  and

The sum is expressed as: .

Following all the rules strictly, Macdonald takes the long route to find the common denominator with the calculation:

The easier route is to add terms with common denominators first and then simply:

(2) Find the sum of , and .

Add the whole numbers: .

Add the fractions: .

The sum is .