Ever struggle with those confusing math problems? Once you reach high school the very minimal time some teachers make available to ask questions can get very frustrating. A very difficult area for many is fractions, especially when you begin adding. This can become even more complex when the fractions have unlike denominators (bottom numbers).

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[edit] Steps

Write down the beginning fractions. For this article, they will be 3/4 and 2/6, just to keep the fractions fairly simple.
Find a common denominator, or "factor" of the two. An easy way to find one is to simple multiply the two denominators together.
- 6*4=24. The denominators are now 24.
Multiply the top numbers, or the numerators, by the same number you multiplied the denominators by.
- 2(from 2/6) must be multiplied by 4, and 3(from 3/4) must be multiplied by 6.
- Now the two fractions are 8/24 and 18/24.
Add the two top numbers. Everything is fairly easy from this point.
- If following our example, you should get 26/24.
Simplify! Our example simplified is 1 and 1/12.

[edit] Tips

Denominators must be the same for the fractions to be added, that's why they are called common denominators. Don't attempt the problem until you have done all of the conversions - it's not a shortcut, and it will just mean more work for you.
Do not forget to multiply all numbers of the fraction by the same number.
Always simplify at the end, the numbers are then easier to continue working with. Unless, of course, you are asked not to.