Adding like fractions, step by step

Adding fractions is friendliest to meet when the bottom numbers already match, because the pieces are the same size.

The question

+

+
+
+=
+=
6÷6=1
6÷6=1
=1
  1. Both are sixths, so the pieces are already the same size. That is what lets them be counted together.
  2. 2 of them plus 4 of them is 6 of them: 6/6. The bottom does not change — the pieces did not change size.
  3. 6/6 is every piece of one whole — there is nothing left over and nothing left to cut, so it is just 1.

How it works.

  1. 01

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

  2. 02

    2 of them plus 4 of them is 6 of them: 6/6. The bottom does not change — the pieces did not change size.

  3. 03

    6/6 is every piece of one whole — there is nothing left over and nothing left to cut, so it is just 1.