Add Mixed Numbers

Add Mixed Numbers

Modeling with fraction circles helps illustrate the process for adding mixed numbers: We add the whole numbers and add the fractions, and then we simplify the result, if possible.

HOW TO

Add mixed numbers with a common denominator.

Step 1. Add the whole numbers.

Step 2. Add the fractions.

Step 3. Simplify, if possible.

In Example 4.83, the sum of the fractions was a proper fraction. Now we will work through an example where the sum is an improper fraction.

An alternate method for adding mixed numbers is to convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions and then add the improper fractions. This method is usually written horizontally.

Table 4.2 compares the two methods of addition, using the expression $3 \dfrac{2}{5}+6 \dfrac{4}{5}$ as an example. Which way do you prefer?

Source: Rice University, https://openstax.org/books/prealgebra/pages/4-6-add-and-subtract-mixed-numbers
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

EXAMPLE 4.83

Add: $3 \dfrac{4}{9}+2 \dfrac{2}{9}$.

EXAMPLE 4.84

Find the sum: $9 \dfrac{5}{9}+5 \dfrac{7}{9}$.

EXAMPLE 4.85

Add by converting the mixed numbers to improper fractions: $3 \dfrac{7}{8}+4 \dfrac{3}{8}$.

Example 4.83

Solution

Example 4.84

Solution

Example 4.85

Solution

Since the problem was given in mixed number form, we will write the sum as a mixed number.