Solve the Fraction Addition: 1/2 + 1/6 Step-by-Step

Because fractions represent parts of different wholes! $\frac{1}{2}$ means 1 out of 2 equal parts, while $\frac{1}{6}$ means 1 out of 6 equal parts. You need to make the parts the same size first.

List the multiples of each number: 2: 2, 4, 6, 8... and 6: 6, 12, 18... The smallest number that appears in both lists is 6, so LCD = 6.

That's perfectly fine! Not all fraction answers can be simplified. Just check if the numerator and denominator share any common factors. If they don't, your answer is already in simplest form.

Yes, but it makes more work! Using 12: $\frac{6}{12} + \frac{2}{12} = \frac{8}{12} = \frac{2}{3}$. The least common denominator keeps numbers smaller and easier to work with.

Multiply both top and bottom by the same number: $\frac{1}{2} \times \frac{3}{3} = \frac{3}{6}$. Since $\frac{3}{3} = 1$, you're not changing the value, just the form!

Simplifying gives the cleanest form of your answer. Both $\frac{4}{6}$ and $\frac{2}{3}$ are correct, but $\frac{2}{3}$ is easier to understand and compare with other fractions.