Use visual fraction models to add and subtract fractions with the same denominators.

Fractions, often perceived as daunting, become manageable with the right approach. Addition and subtraction require finding a common denominator, while multiplication involves directly multiplying ...

There are two rules to remember when adding or subtracting fractions. The fractions need to have a common denominator. This means the denominator has to be the same. You only need to add or ...

Revise how to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions, how to use a calculator for fractions and how to find fractions of amounts in this GCSE maths guide.

Why do we need equal denominators to add and subtract fractions but not to multiply and divide them?

In adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, you have to get a least common denominator which is exactly like the least common multiple it just so happens to be in the denominator.

There's a helpful shortcut worth remembering: if your fractions already share the same denominator, you can skip straight to adding or subtracting the numerators.