Adding fractions that have the same denominator by adding the numerators.
Where your child meets this in real life: Adding portions of the same item (⅓ + ⅓ of a cake)
SEAGReady breaks add fractions (same denominator) into 3 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Add two fractions with the same denominator where the result is less than 1
Add fractions with the same denominator where the sum is greater than or equal to 1, and convert the improper fraction to a mixed number
Add fractions with the same denominator and simplify the result to lowest terms
Three free sample questions from our add fractions (same denominator) course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
Roisin is making a smoothie. She uses 2/5 of a banana in the morning and 1/5 of the same banana later. What fraction of the banana did she use altogether?
Answer: B. 3/5
Both fractions are fifths (denominator is 5). Add the numerators: 2 + 1 = 3 Keep the denominator the same: 5 Answer: 3/5
Stuck? Start here: Both fractions have the same denominator (5). What does that tell you?
Ciaran is painting a fence. He paints 4/6 of it before lunch and 3/6 after lunch. What fraction of the fence has he painted? Give your answer as a mixed number.
Answer: A. 1 1/6
Both are sixths, so add the numerators: 4 + 3 = 7 Answer as improper fraction: 7/6 Convert to mixed number: 7 ÷ 6 = 1 remainder 1 Answer: 1 1/6
Stuck? Start here: First add the fractions. Both are sixths, so add only the numerators.
Niamh eats 1/8 of a pizza for lunch and 3/8 for dinner. What fraction of the pizza did she eat? Give your answer in its simplest form.
Answer: A. 1/2
Both are eighths, so add the numerators: 1 + 3 = 4 Answer: 4/8 Simplify: 4 and 8 share a common factor of 4 4 ÷ 4 = 1, 8 ÷ 4 = 2 Simplest form: 1/2
Stuck? Start here: Both are eighths. Add the numerators: 1 + 3 = ?
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Aoife is making a smoothie. She uses 2/5 of a banana in the morning and 1/5 of the same banana later.
What fraction of the banana did she use altogether?
2/5 + 1/5
Step 1 of 4
Aoife is making a smoothie. She uses 2/5 of a banana in the morning and 1/5 of the same banana later.
What fraction of the banana did she use altogether?
Aoife used 3/5 of the banana altogether.
The key insight: When denominators are the same, just add the numerators - the pieces are already the same size!
Watch out: 2/5 + 1/5 = 3/10. Adding the denominators too! Only add the numerators - the denominator stays the same.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in add fractions (same denominator), including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with add fractions (same denominator)? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.