# Homework Help: Making a number into fraction

1. Feb 15, 2010

### storoi1990

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

If i have 1/2 + 1 = 1,5 (on the calculator), how do i make this into a fraction?

I know this answer would be 1/2 + 1 = 3/2

But how excactly is this done?

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

2. Feb 15, 2010

### Staff: Mentor

To add fractions, both fractions have to have the same denominator.

For your problem, 1/2 + 1 = 1/2 + 2/2 = 3/2.

Here's a slightly harder problem: 1/2 + 1/3

The least common denominator is the least common multiple of 2 and 3, which is 6. So the common denominator will be 6. In a fraction, I can get the common denominator by multiplying by 1 in a suitable form. After the fractions have been rewritten using the common denominator, add the numerators and use the common denominator.

$$\frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{3} = \frac{1}{2} * \frac{3}{3} + \frac{1}{3} * \frac{2}{2}$$
$$=\frac{3}{6} + \frac{2}{6} = \frac{5}{6}$$

3. Feb 15, 2010

### storoi1990

Thank you ! :)

4. Feb 18, 2010

### Sirsh

Well, you have one fraction (1/2) and a whole number 1 i.e. (2/2).
To make this into one fraction you just have to add the numerators together because the denominator is the same on both sides, 1/2 + 2/2 = (1+2)/2 or 3/2. hope that helps.