Adding Fractions in the form a/b + b/a.

There are many different fractions that you will encounter in math. If you see one with the setup a/b + b/a then the trick below will help you solve it in seconds.

Look at the math problem 3/8 + 8/3= ?

• Find the difference in the numbers.
  • 8 - 3 = 5
• Square the result
  • 5² = 25.
  • 25 is the numerator.
• Multiply the two numbers.
  • 8 * 3 = 24
  • 24 is the denominator.
• If the fraction is a proper fraction, write down 2. This is the whole number added to the proper fraction.
• If the fraction is improper, turn it into a mixed number and add 2 to the whole number.
  • 25/24 is improper so we convert it to 1 1/24.
  • We add 2 which gives us 3 1/24

ANSWER is 3 and 1/24.

Watch the math video below for a detailed explanation!