when you are adding fractions you must make sure that you have a common denominator. The denominator is the bottom part of your fraction, it is always underneath of the line seperating the two numbers. in this case we have 1/2 + 1/18
To find a common denominator you must first figure out the greatest common factor between the two denominators. Our denominators are 2 and 18. the greatest common factor between the two numbers is 18. To make 1/2 and 1/18 BOTH have the denominator 18 you must multiply the denominator to get 18. 2 x 9 is 18. When you do anything to the denominator yo umust always do the same to the numerator. this means that you must multiply 1 x 9, which gives you 9.
1/2 has now been changed to 9/18. The value of the fraction itself has not been changed. as you notice, 9 is 1/2 of 18.
your two fractions now are 9/18+1/18. When you add fractions you only add the numerator, the denominator stays the same.
9/18 + 1/18= 9+1 over 18. 9+1=10. your numerator is 10. the denominators do not get added together, making them still 18. if you put those two together you have 10/18.
10/18 is your answer. If you wish to simplify this then divide them both by 2, giving you 5/9.
