When adding fractions with the same denominator, which statement is true?

When adding fractions with the same denominator, which statement is true?

• A. You change the numerator and leave the denominator unchanged.
• B. You add the denominators and keep the numerators.
• C. You multiply both the numerators and denominators.
• D. You keep the denominator the same and add the numerators.

Answer: (D)

When you add fractions that share the same denominator, you simply combine the numerators and keep the denominator the same. The denominator shows how many equal parts the whole is divided into, and those parts are the same size in both fractions, so you count how many parts you have in total by adding the numerators. For example, 3/8 plus 2/8 equals (3 + 2)/8, which is 5/8. You don’t change the size of each part (the denominator stays 8), and you don’t multiply anything. You also wouldn’t add the denominators, since that would change how big each part is. If you ever get a fraction like 8/12, you can simplify it later to 2/3 by reducing the fraction.

When you add fractions that share the same denominator, you simply combine the numerators and keep the denominator the same. The denominator shows how many equal parts the whole is divided into, and those parts are the same size in both fractions, so you count how many parts you have in total by adding the numerators.

For example, 3/8 plus 2/8 equals (3 + 2)/8, which is 5/8. You don’t change the size of each part (the denominator stays 8), and you don’t multiply anything. You also wouldn’t add the denominators, since that would change how big each part is.

If you ever get a fraction like 8/12, you can simplify it later to 2/3 by reducing the fraction.