Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators - Part 1 (Fraction Addition)

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In this lesson, we will learn the very important skill of adding fractions. In this case, we will add fractions that have unlike denominators, which means that the bottom numbers of the fractions are not the same. In order to add fractions, the denominator of both fractions must equal the same number. In these problems, the first step is to change the fractions by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number with the goal of expressing both fractions in terms of the same denominator. Then, we add the fractions as usual and simplify the result. Here we use fraction models to understand what it means to find a common denominator and to fully understand what it means to add fractions together.