Math
Cancelling a Term Across Addition in a Fraction
Cancelling a number that is added in the top and bottom, instead of a shared factor.
Quick check
Why students make it
Cancelling works for common factors, and the value appears top and bottom, so it looks cancellable. Only a factor of the whole numerator and denominator can cancel.
The rule done right
You can only cancel a factor that multiplies the entire numerator and the entire denominator, never a term that is added.
Related resources
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Math: The Distributive Property Infographic -
Math: Factoring Out the GCF Infographic -
Math: Adding and Subtracting Unlike Fractions Infographic -
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