Key Differences Between Adding and Subtracting Fractions

1. What Each Operation Does:

   • Adding Fractions: This brings two or more parts together.
     • For example, $\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{3} = \frac{2}{3}$.
   • Subtracting Fractions: This finds how much one part is less than another.
     • For example, $\frac{2}{3} - \frac{1}{3} = \frac{1}{3}$.

2. Understanding Denominators:

   • Same Denominators: If the bottoms (denominators) are the same, you can use the same steps for both adding and subtracting.
   • Different Denominators: If the bottoms are different, you need to find a common denominator. This means you have to do a few more steps.

3. What Happens to the Result:

   • Adding: When you add, the answer always gets bigger.
   • Subtracting: When you subtract, the answer can get smaller or even be zero.

Remember, understanding how to work with fractions is super important in math!