Fractions

Add Fractions — Same Denominator

Add 3/8 + 2/8. When denominators match, just add the numerators and keep the denominator: 3 + 2 = 5, so 3/8 + 2/8 = 5/8.

Example

Add 3/8 and 2/8 by adding numerators and keeping the denominator.

highlighted = computed this step

Step 1 — Set up

Set up the fraction expression.

38+28=□\frac{3}{8} + \frac{2}{8} = \square
Both fractions are split into 8 equal pieces3/82/8The denominator 8 names the same-size pieces in both bars.

Step 2 — Add numerators

Add the numerators: 3 + 2 = 5.

3+2=53 + 2 = \hl{5}
Combine shaded pieces: 3 + 2 = 53/82/85/83 + 2 shaded pieces = 5; denominator stays 8.

Step 3 — Keep denominator

Keep the denominator: it stays 8.

denominator=8\mathrm{denominator}= \hl{8}
The denominator stays 8 equal pieces3/82/85/83 + 2 shaded pieces = 5; denominator stays 8.

Step 4 — Result

Read the final result.

38+28=58\frac{3}{8} + \frac{2}{8} = \frac{5}{8}
3/8 + 2/8 = 5/83/82/85/83 + 2 shaded pieces = 5; denominator stays 8.
add-like-fractions Fractions with the same denominator measure pieces of the same size. Adding them means counting how many pieces you have in total. Only the numerator changes; the denominator stays fixed because the piece size does not change.