Addition and Subtraction - Unlike Denominators

When the denominators of the fractions are unequal, the fractions are said to be unlike

Steps to add unlike fractions:
For eg. 5/12 + 1/6

Step 1: Find the LCM of the denominators
LCM of 12 and 6 is 12

Step 2: Write equivalent fractions with a common denominator
(5 x 1)/(12 x 1) = 5/12
(1 x 2)/(6 x 2) = 2/12

Step 3: Add the numerators of both the fractions and keep the denominator same
(5 + 2)/12 = 7/12

Fractions that represent the same value are equivalent
For example:
2/4 = 4/8. Both are equal to 1/2

When the denominators of the fractions are unequal, the fractions are said to be unlike

Steps to subtract the unlike fractions:
For eg. 5/8 - 1/7

Step 1: Find the LCM of the denominators
Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 8 and 7 is 56.

Step 2: Write equivalent fractions with a common denominator
(5 x 7)/(8 x 7) = 35/56
(1 x 8)/(7 x 8) = 8/56

Step 3: Subtract the numerators of both the fractions and keep the denominator same
(35 - 8)/56 = 27/56

Fractions that represent the same value are equivalent
For example:
2/4 = 4/8. Both are equal to 1/2