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175 LearnersLast updated on October 22, 2025

In mathematics, standard form is a fundamental concept. It is used to express numbers and equations. It provides a clear structure for representing different types of mathematical elements.
To calculate a number’s overall value, we add or subtract fractions by ensuring they have common denominators. For example, donald drinks 1½ liters of water in the morning and 1½ liters of water in the evening. To calculate how much water donald drinks in a day, we use addition and subtraction of fractions.
In a fraction, the top number indicates how many parts are considered. The bottom number shows how many equal pieces the whole is divided into. For example, in the fraction 1/2, the numerator shows one part, while the denominator represents that the whole is divided into two equal parts.
The process of adding and subtracting fractions involves joining and removing parts of a whole, as defined by fractions. To perform these operations effectively, some rules should be followed.
Rules for Adding Fractions
5⁄10 + 4⁄10 = 5 + \(\frac{4}{10}\) = 9⁄10.
The multiples of 4 include 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, …
The multiples of 6 include 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, …
Among the lists of multiples, 12 is the least common multiple. So 12 is the denominator.
Now, we need to match the LCD with the fractions.
1⁄4 = 1 × \(\frac{3}{4}\) × 3 = 3⁄12
1⁄6 = 1 × \(\frac{2}{6}\) × 2 = 2⁄12. Now we can add both fractions easily.
3⁄12 + 2⁄12 = 5⁄12.
1 1⁄3 +2 2⁄3
1 1⁄3 = 4⁄3
2 2⁄3 = 8⁄3
It becomes 4⁄3 + 8⁄3 = 12⁄3 = 4
8⁄3 – 4⁄3 = 4⁄3
4⁄3 – 8⁄3 = -4⁄3
Here, 8⁄3 is the larger fraction.
First, multiply the whole number with the denominator.
Then add the numerator, we will get the improper fraction.
For instance,
3 1⁄2 – 1 2⁄3
\((3 × 2) + 1\) =\(\frac{7}{2}\) and
\( (1 × 3) + 2\) = \(\frac{5}{3}\)
Subtract these two fractions:
\(\frac{7}{2}\) – \(\frac{5}{3}\)
Next, we have to find the least common denominator of 2 and 3. The result is 6.
Now we have to match the LCD (the least common denominator) with the fractions. It becomes:
21⁄6 – 10⁄6 = 11⁄6 = 1 5⁄6.
Take a look at this:
We can add 1⁄4 and 2⁄4:
1⁄4 + 2⁄4 = 3⁄4
Here, the denominators are the same. Next, we can move on to the next set of fractions.
3⁄4 + 4⁄4 = 7⁄4.
This sequence illustrates how fractions with the same denominator increase progressively, starting from 1⁄4, 2⁄4, 3⁄4, 4⁄4, and so on.
For example,
5⁄8 – 3⁄8 = 2⁄8
We can simplify 2⁄8 as 1⁄4. Take a look at this too:
3⁄4 – 2⁄4 = 1⁄4 or
3⁄4 – 1⁄4 = 2⁄4
\(\frac{2}{4}\) = \(\frac{1}{2}\)
Performing addition and subtraction of fractions is sometimes tricky. Here are some of the tips and tricks to calculate the fractions using addition or subtraction:
Students often confuse the placement of digits or the power of ten when writing numbers in standard form. Understanding place value and carefully checking exponents can help prevent these errors.
Standard form helps simplify very large or very small numbers, making them easier to read and use. It is widely applied in science, technology, finance, and everyday measurements.
Astronomy: Standard form is used to express extremely large distances in space, such as the distance between planets or stars. For example, The distance from Earth to the Sun is approximately 1.5 × 10⁸ km.
Science and chemistry: Very small measurements, like the size of atoms or molecules, are written in standard form for simplicity. For example, The diameter of a hydrogen atom is about 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ m.
Engineering and technology: Engineers use standard form to handle very large numbers, like power output or electrical charge, efficiently in calculations. For example, A power plant generates 3.6 × 10⁶ watts.
Finance and economics: Standard form is useful when dealing with huge sums of money, national budgets, or population statistics. For example, A country’s population may be written as 1.4 × 10⁹ people.
Data storage and computing: Large amounts of digital data, like memory or storage capacity, are expressed in standard form to make numbers manageable. For example, A data center may store 2.5 × 10¹² bytes of information.
Calculate the value of 2⁄10 + 5⁄10.
7⁄10 is the value we get when we add 2⁄10 and 5⁄10.
Here, the denominators are the same, it is 10. So, we can sum up the numerators.
\(2 + 5 = 7\)
Hence, the result is 7⁄10.
What is the value of 4⁄6 - 3⁄2?
-5⁄6 is the value.
Here, the denominators are different. So we need to find the least common denominator (LCD). The LCD of 6 and 2 is 6.
Now, we need to write the fractions according to the LCD.
4⁄6 remains the same. 3⁄2 will be written as:
3⁄2 = 3 × \(\frac{3}{2}\) × 3 = 9⁄6
Now, we can subtract the fractions:
4⁄6 – 9⁄6 = -5⁄6.
John collected a jar of honey and used 4⁄9 of the honey. After one week, he used 2⁄9 more. How much of the jar is filled with honey now?
2⁄3 of the jar is filled with honey.
9 is the denominator. So we need to add the numerators, 4 and 2.
4 + 2 = 6. Therefore, 4⁄9 + 2⁄9 = \(\frac{6}{9}\)
6/9th of the jar is filled with honey. 6⁄9 can be simplified to 2⁄3. So 2⁄3 of the jar is filled now.
Find 7⁄9 - 4⁄9.
The value is 1⁄3.
9 is the denominator of both the fractions. Now, we need to subtract the numerators, i.e., 7 and 4.
7 – 4 = 3
7⁄9 – 4⁄9 = 3⁄9
3⁄9 is the value we get by subtracting 7⁄9 and 4⁄9.
Find 1 1⁄2 + 2 1⁄3.
3 5⁄6
These fractions are mixed numbers. So we have to convert it into improper fractions.
1 1⁄2 = 3⁄2
2 1⁄3 = 7⁄3
Next, we have to find the LCD. 6 is the least common denominator.
3⁄2 = 9⁄6
7⁄3 = 14⁄6
Now we can add the fractions:
9⁄6 + 14⁄6 = 23⁄6
We can simplify 23⁄6 to 3 5⁄6.
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
: She loves to read number jokes and games.






