How to Add Whole Numbers and Fractions Step-by-Step

The Organic Chemistry Tutor

This concise mathematics tutorial demonstrates the procedural steps for adding whole numbers to fractions and vice versa. Using a digital whiteboard format, the instructor breaks down the process into clear, manageable steps: converting the whole number into a fraction with a denominator of one, finding a common denominator through multiplication, and finally adding the numerators to find the solution. The video emphasizes that the order of addition does not change the result. The content focuses on two specific arithmetic examples: adding 5 plus 3/4, and adding 2/3 plus 4. Through these examples, the video explores key concepts such as improper fractions, common denominators, and fraction equivalence. Visual cues, such as colored circling of numerators and denominators, help viewers track the specific components being manipulated during the calculation process. For educators, this video serves as an excellent direct instruction tool or review resource for students mastering fraction operations. It provides a reliable algorithm that students can apply to any similar problem. The clear, step-by-step visual derivation makes it particularly useful for students who struggle with mental math or need to see the underlying structure of fraction addition before moving to shortcuts like simply combining the whole number and fraction into a mixed number.