Equivalent Fractions

In order to add or subtract fractions, you sometimes need to convert the fractions so that they have the same denominator (the bottom part of the fraction).

Equivalent fractions have the save value but could look different, here is another example of equivalent fractions you may already be used to.

See here how

$1$1 half = $2$2 quarters = $4$4 eighths

$\frac{1}{2}$12​ = $\frac{2}{4}$24​ = $\frac{4}{8}$48​

Now we don't want to have to make lots of paper fractions every time we do a fraction question, so we can use a numeric way of creating equivalent fractions.

For example, to add up $\frac{1}{20}$120​ and $\frac{1}{10}$110​, you would first have to convert $\frac{1}{10}$110​ so that it has a common denominator of $20$20 with the other term you want to add. To do this, you would have to multiply both the top and bottom parts of $\frac{1}{10}$110​ by $2$2, to get $\frac{2}{20}$220​.

Worked Examples

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3