Adding Fractions With Like Denominators ('like denominators' is just a way of saying that they have the same number on the bottom)

    I just posted a quick one and I think I have time for one more, so I'll do one on how to add fractions with the same number on the bottom (you'll hear them called 'fractions with like denominators').
    Say, for example, you have 4/11 + 6/11 (this is read as 4 over 11 plus 6 over 11, and it would probably benefit you to write this down on a piece of paper straight up and down, just so you can tell the top from the bottom). Since you don't have to change the bottom of the fraction, all you have to do is add the top, straight across.

4+6/11 (to write this straight up and down, write 4+6, then a horizontal bar right underneath that, then write 11 underneath that)
Now, simplify the addition on the top:

10/11 should be your final answer.

NOTE: (you may wonder why you don't add the two 11's on the bottom. Just remember that the only time you mess with denominators is when you multiply or change the denominators. So in this case, you would NOT add the denominators, since they are already the same and since you're not multiplying.)

That was pretty short, so if you need more help on adding fractions with like denominators, go to www.khanacademy.org and a bunch of videos will pop up.

Bye! :)

-Meredith