Adding & Subtracting Negative Fractions

Sign rule + X + + - X -+ - X +  - + X -  - Example 1:- Step 1 – The sign in the middle (i.e., operation sign) and the sign of the second number to be made into single sign based on sign rule below Sign rule + X + + - X -+ - X +  - + X -  - Step 2 – To make denominators the same (Multiply and write) Step 3 – Now the denominator is the same, add/subtract numerator based on number sign rule below. Number sign rule Both signs are same then add and put the same sign Both signs are different then subtract and put bigger number’s sign Step 4 - Simplify the fraction

Sign rule + X + + - X -+ - X +  - + X -  - Example 2:- Step 1 – The sign in the middle (i.e., operation sign) and the sign of the second number to be made into single sign based on sign rule below Sign rule + X + + - X -+ - X +  - + X -  - Step 2 – To make denominators the same (Multiply and write) Step 3 – Now the denominator is the same, add/subtract numerator based on number sign rule below. Number sign rule Both signs are same then add and put the same sign Both signs are different then subtract and put bigger number’s sign Step 4 - Simplify the fraction

Sign rule + X + + - X -+ - X +  - + X -  - LCM Method: Step 1 – The sign in the middle (i.e., operation sign) and the sign of the second number to be made into single sign based on sign rule below Sign rule + X + + - X -+ - X +  - + X -  - Step 2 –Find LCM of denominators of both the fractions LCM (4,6) = 2 x 2 x 3 = 12 (Multiply all the prime factors) Step 3 – We need to convert both fractions with denominator as 12 Step 4 - Now the denominator is the same, add/subtract numerator based on number sign rule below. Number sign rule Both signs are same then add and put the same sign Both signs are different then subtract and put bigger number’s sign

Note When you use LCM method to add or subtract fraction , you will be multiplying smaller number and you get a smaller fraction. Also you may not have the need to simplify the resulting fraction. When adding 3 or more fraction you can use the LCM method to add or subtract all fraction together.

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