Adding and subtracting like fractions, step by step

When two fractions share a bottom number, adding and taking away are the same easy move.

The question

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6÷2=3
10÷2=5
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  1. Both are tenths, so the pieces are already the same size. That is what lets them be counted together.
  2. 7 of them take away 1 of them is 6 of them: 6/10. The bottom does not change — the pieces did not change size.
  3. 6/10 can be written in bigger pieces. 2 goes into both, so take it off both: 6/10 = 3/5.

How it works.

  1. 01

    Both are tenths, so the pieces are already the same size. That is what lets them be counted together.

  2. 02

    7 of them take away 1 of them is 6 of them: 6/10. The bottom does not change — the pieces did not change size.

  3. 03

    6/10 can be written in bigger pieces. 2 goes into both, so take it off both: 6/10 = 3/5.