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Understand How to Add and Subtract Algebraic Fractions

In this worksheet, students add or subtract algebraic fractions giving their answer as a single fraction.

'Understand How to Add and Subtract Algebraic Fractions ' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 3

Year:  Year 9 Maths worksheets

Curriculum topic:   Algebra

Curriculum subtopic:   Use and Interpret Algebraic Notation

Popular topics:   Algebra worksheets

Difficulty level:  

Worksheet Overview

When we add or subtract two fractions, they must have the same denominator.

We use equivalent fractions to change them into two fractions with the same lowest common denominator.

 

Example

Simplify:

a + b
10 15

 

Answer

We must first find the lowest common multiple of 10 and 15, which is 30.

Then we change each fraction into 30ths.

 

30 ÷ 10 = 3 so we multiply top and bottom of the first fraction by 3.

30 ÷ 15 = 2 so we multiply top and bottom of the second fraction by 2.

 

a + b
10 15

 

= a x 3 + b x 2
10 x 3  15 x 2

 

= 3a + 2b
30  30

 

= 3a + 2b
30

 

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