Addition and Subtraction of Fractions Worksheets

Finding the LEAST COMMON DENOMINATOR (LCD) When adding and subtracting fracti ns! there "ust be a c "" n den "inat r s that the fracti ns can be added r subtracted# C "" n den "inat rs are the sa"e nu"ber n the b tt " f fracti ns# There are se$era% "eth ds f r finding the c "" n den "inat r# The f %% &ing is ne in &hich &e &i%% find the %east c "" n den "inat r r LCD# Each set f fracti ns has "an' c "" n den "inat rs( &e &i%% find the s"a%%est nu"ber that ne r b th fracti ns &i%% change t #

. +- , Ste* .+ Start &ith the %argest f the den "inat rs E)+ 3 is the largest Ste* -+ See if the ther den "inat r can di$ide int the %argest &ith ut getting a re"ainder# If there is n re"ainder! then ' u ha$e f und the LCD/ E)# 3 divided by 2 has a remainder of 1 Ste* ,+ If there is a re"ainder! "u%ti*%' the %argest den "inat r b' the nu"ber and re*eat ste* - ab $e# If there is n re"ainder! then ' u ha$e f und the LCD/ If there is a re"ainder! 0ee* "u%ti*%'ing the den "inat r b' successi$e nu"bers (,! 1! 2! etc#) unti% there is n re"ainder# This *r cess "a' ta0e se$era% ste*s but it &i%% e$entua%%' get t the LCD# E)# 3 x 2 = 6; 2 divides evenly into 6; therefore, 6 is the LCD#
E)# Su** se &e are g ing t add these fracti ns+

.+. - 1 Ste* .+ 1 is the %argest den "inat r Ste* -+ 1 di$ided b' - has n re"ainder! theref re 1 is the LCD/
E)# .+

.+. 2 3 Ste* .+ 3 is the %argest den "inat r Ste* -+ 3 di$ided b' 2 has a re"ainder# Mu%ti*%' 3 ) - 4 .-#
E)# -+

.- di$ided b' 2 has a re"ainder 3 ) , 4 .5# .5 di$ided b' 2 has a re"ainder 3 ) 1 4 -1 -1 di$ided b' 2 has a re"ainder 3 ) 2 4 ,6 ,6 di$ided b' 2 has NO re"ainder! theref re ,6 is the LCD/ Note+ 7 u "a' ha$e n ticed that "u%ti*%'ing the den "inat rs t gether a%s gets the LCD# This "eth d &i%% a%&a's get a c "" n den "inat r but it "a' n t get a % &est c "" n den "inat r# E)ercise . 8sing the *re$i us%' sh &n "eth d! &rite 9ust the LCD f r the f %% &ing sets f fracti ns (Do Not olve! .) 1) :) .6) .,)
. . , - ,

-) 2) 5) ..) .1)

- , 2 ,

,) 3) ;) .-) .2)

2 . , 5 -

. . , 1 , , . , 1 ., 1 , .2 2 , . . ! ! 5 3 ,

. , : 2 : , , 5 2 . - 2 ! ! - , 3 . . . ! ! : - ,

1 . , ; , , , .6 , , 2 : ! ! 1 5 .3 , . . ! ! 5 2 ,

<etting e=ui$a%ent Fracti ns and Reducing Fracti ns Once &e ha$e f und the LCD f r a set f fracti ns! the ne)t ste* is t change each fracti n t ne f its e=ui$a%ents s that &e "a' add r subtract it# An e=ui$a%ent fracti n has the sa"e $a%ue as the rigina% fracti n>it % 0s a %itt%e different/ ?ere are s "e e)a"*%es f e=ui$a%ent fracti ns+

. = - 1 - 1 = , 3

. , = - 3 - 3 = , ;

. 1 = - 5 - 5 = , .-

. 2 = - .6 - .6 = , .2

>etc# >etc#

An e=ui$a%ent fracti n is btained b' "u%ti*%'ing b th the nu"erat r and den "inat r f the fracti n b' the sa"e nu"ber# This is ca%%ed "#$LD$N%# ?ere are s "e e)a"*%es+
2), .2 = 5), -1

2 and 5 &ere b th "u%ti*%ied b' , : and .- &ere b th "u%ti*%ied b' . and , &ere b th "u%ti*%ied b' .:
0 %i0e fracti n $ersi ns f .#

:)- .1 = .-)- -1 .).: .: = ,).: 2.

N te+ the nu"bers used t "u%ti*%' %

An e=ui$a%ent fracti n can a%s btained b' di$iding b th the nu"erat r and den "inat r f the fracti n b' the sa"e nu"ber# This is ca%%ed &'D#C$N%# ?ere are s "e " re e)a"*%es+
.6 - 2 = .- - 3

.6 and .- &ere b th di$ided b' 5 and .- &ere b th di$ided b' 1 -66 and --2 &ere b th di$ided b' -2

51 = .- 1 ,
-66 -2 5 = --2 -2 ;

E)ercise Find the nu"ber that be% ngs in the s*ace b' b(ilding r red()ing e=ui$a%ent fracti ns# .)
. = - .6

-)

= , .2

,)

2 = 3 .-

1)

, = 1 .-

2)

= 2 -6

3)

2 = : -.

:)

, = 3 -

5)

3 = 5 1

;)

5 = .6 2

.6)

.= -1 -

..)

2 = ,6 3

.-)

: = .1 -

.,)

= : ,2

.1)

: = 1- 3

.2)

.6 = .2 ,

.3)

. = 5 -1

.:)

. = , -1

.5)

-6 = -- ..

.;)

-. = 1- -

-6)

.: = 2. ,

-.)

.6 = ,6 ,

Si"*%if'ing I"*r *er Fracti ns An i"*r *er fracti n is ne in &hich the nu"erat r is %arger than the den "inat r# If the ans&er t an additi n! subtracti n! "u%ti*%icati n! r di$isi n fracti n is i"*r *er! si"*%if' it and reduce if * ssib%e# E)# .+ nu"erat r#
, . 1 , .

1 is an i"*r *er fracti n# Di$ide the den "inat r int ,

= .. ,

E)# -+

.6 is an i"*r *er fracti n# Di$ide t si"*%if'# Reduce# 5

.6 = 5 5

. . .6 = . = . 5 1 5 -

E)# ,+

.,3 is an i"*r *er fracti n# Di$ide t si"*%if'# Reduce# -6

.,3 = -6 -6 3 .3 1 .,3 = 3 =3 -6 2 .-6 .3

E)ercise , Si"*%if' the f %% &ing fracti ns# Reduce if * ssib%e# .)

3 4 2

-)

2 4 1

,)

: 4 ,

1)

.6 4 3

2)

1 4 -

3)

3 4 1

:)

.2 4 ,

5)

-6 4 .-

;)

.; 4 1

.6)

-, 4 2

..)

.5 4 ,

.-)

.: 4 2

.,)

,: 4 ;

.1)

-5 4 5

.2)

1: 4 ;

.3)

.63 4 1

.:)

.: 4 -

.5)

.16 4 -6

.;)

.34 .6

-6)

,5 4 2

-.)

24 ,

Adding and Subtracting f Fracti ns When adding r subtracting! there "ust be a c "" n den "inat r# If the den "inat rs are different+
(a) Write the *r b%e" $ertica%%' (t * t b tt ") (b) Find the LCD (c) Change t e=ui$a%ent fracti ns (b' bui%ding) (d) Add r subtract the nu"erat rs (%ea$e the den "inat rs the sa"e) (e) Si"*%if' and reduce! if * ssib%e

E)# .+

, 2

. 2

1 2

The den "inat rs are the sa"e# Add the nu"erat rs! 0ee*
. -

the den "inat r# This fracti n cann t be si"*%ified r reduced#

. 1 = = 1 . 1 , 1 2 .2 -1 5 -1 : -1

E)# -+

. -

. 1

=@

The den "inat rs are different nu"bers# Theref re! change t

E)# ,+

2 5

. ,

=@

5 . ,

= =

e=ui$a%ent fracti ns#

See *age ,

E)# 1+

, 1

=@

, , 1

= =

5 .; ..: .... = .2 2 = .2 3 .2 = 2 =. 2

..

E)# 2+

.. .2

. ,

=@

.2 . ,

Si"*%if'ing and reducing c "*%etes additi n and subtracti n *r b%e"s# See *age 2

E)ercise 1 Add r subtract the f %% &ing fracti ns# Si"*%if' and reduce &hen * ssib%e# .)
- , + = : :

-)

; . + = .1 .1

,)

. , + = 3 3

1)

, . + = 2 1

2)

- . + = , -

3)

1 . + = 2 -

:)

- , + = 1 3

5)

2 , + = 3 5

;)

: + = ; ,

.6)

, . = 1 -

..)

, . = 2 ,

.-)

: = 5 ,

.,)

2 . = .- 1

.1)

; . = .. -

.2)

.. 2 = .- 3

.3)

. . = - ,

.:)

2 . = 3 1

.5)

; . = .6 ,

.;)

5 . + = -6 2

-6)

.1 . = .2 3

-.)

1 , = : 5

--)

3 . + = .- -

-,)

5 = ; ,

-1)

.- 2 + = .3 5

-2)

, . = : 3

-3)

1 3 = 2 .6

-:)

- + = ., ,

Adding and subtracting "i)ed nu"bers A "i)ed nu"ber has a &h %e nu"ber f %% &ed b' a fracti n+ When adding r subtracting "i)ed nu"bers! use the *r cedure fr " *age :# N te+ D nAt f rget t add r subtract the &h %e nu"bers# E)# .+ . + - = @
. , =. 3 . + - =, 3 2 , 3 .

. 2 . 3 . ! - ! .:3 ! and 5 are e)a"*%es f "i)ed nu"bers , 5 :

. -

. ,

E)# -+ 3 + 2 = @

. 5 . 3 5 +2 . .. 5

E)# ,+ 2 +
2 + . =2 , , = 2 2 .2 ; .2 .1 2 .2

. ,

, =@ 2

E)# 1+ ,
,

3 .=, ; .5 . ; . =. .5 , . - =.5 3

3 . . = @ ; -

6 When "i)ed nu"bers cann t be subtracted because the b tt " fracti n is %arger subtracted from the . than the t * fracti n! BORROW s that the fracti ns can be subtracted fr 1 " 6 One was borrowed from the each ther# 3 , The 4 cannot be subtracted E)# 2+ 5 C - = @ 1 from nothing. One was

The 2

cannot be

E)# 3+ 2

borrowed from the 8 and changed to 4 . 8 was 4 changed to a 7.Now the mixed numbers can be subtracted from each other.

. . - = @ 3 ,

, changed to 6 added to the 1

and then to ma!e

7 . The who"e number 6 was changed to a 4. Now the mixed numbers can be subtracted.

1 1 , , - =1 1 . 2 1 5 =:

. . : =2 = 1 3 3 3 . =- = , 3 3 2 3 2

E)ercise 2 Add r subtract the f %% &ing "i)ed nu"bers# Si"*%if' and reduce &hen * ssib%e# .) 5 + 5
1 2 . 4 .6
- , -) . + 4 , :

,) .3 +

2 5

.. 4 .-

1) , + 3 + 2

1 2

.. 4 .2

2) .

.. 4 .- ,

3) 1

. . 4 5

. . :) 2 2 4 3 ,

5) .1 - 4

. -

. 5

;) : +1 4

. 2

.6) -

. 4 1

. ..) .- 5 4 : ,

1 3 .-) 1 , 4 : :

2 . .,) .3 - 4 3 ,

. .1) .1 - 4 ;

.2) .13 + 5 4

. 2

2 .6 .3) 2 + 4 3 .-

.:) 3 1

: 4 5

.5) ..

, 2 4 2

.;)

+7 4 ,

-6) -

1 +1 4 5 ,

-.) .66 1 4

, 5

Fracti n W rd Dr b%e"s (Additi nESubtracti n) When s %$ing & rd *r b%e"s! "a0e sure t 8NDERSTAND T?E F8ESTION# L 0 f r bits f inf r"ati n that &i%% he%* get t the ans&er# Gee* in "ind that s "e sentences "a' n t ha$e 0e' & rds r 0e' & rds "ight e$en be "is%eading# 8SE COMMON SENSE &hen thin0ing ab ut h & t s %$e & rd *r b%e"s# The first thing ' u thin0 f "ight be the best &a' t s %$e the *r b%e"# ?ere are s "e GE7 WORDS t % 0 f r in & rd *r b%e"s+ Su"! t ta%! " re than+ "ean t add Difference! %ess than! h & "uch " re than+ "ean t subtract

. E)# .+ If brand H can f beans &eighs .2 unces and brand 7 &eighs .- , 1

.2

unces! h & "uch %arger is the brand H can@

means to subtract

. 3 = .2 =.1 1 1 , , , .- =.- =.1 1 1 , 1

#orrow from the who"e number and add to the fraction

E)# -+ Find the t ta% sn &fa%% f r this 'ear if it sn &ed N $e"ber! -

. , inches in Dece"ber and . inches in Ianuar'# , 1

means to add

. inch in .6

E)ercise 3 S %$e the f %% &ing addEsubtract fracti n & rd *r b%e"s .# Find the t ta% &idth f , b ards that 1 &ide! and 1
. inches &ide# -

. 3 = .6 36 . -6 - =, 36 , 12 +. =. 1 36 :. .. , =1 36 36

$im%"if&.

: , inches &ide! inch 1 5

-# A :#.2? tire is 3

&ide# What is the difference in their &idths@

2 , inches &ide and a :#.2C tire is 1 inches 5 1

,# A *atient is gi$en .
. teas* 1

. teas* -

ns f "edicine in the " rning and ns t ta% d es the

ns at night# ? & "an' teas*

*atient recei$e dai%'@

1# ,

the re"aining *art f the b ard@

. . feet are cut ff a b ard that is .- feet % ng# ? & % ng is , 1

2#

Nebras0a# ? & "uch f the c rn su**%' is gr &n in the t& states@

, 5

f the c rn in the 8#S# is gr &n in I &a#

. 1

f it is gr &n in

3# A runner 9 gs :

? & far has she 9 gged@

. . "i%es east! 2 "i%es s uth! and 5 "i%es &est# 2 1 ,

:# If ,

"uch is %eft@

. -

unce f c ugh s'ru* is used fr " a ;

. 1

unce b tt%e! h &

5# I set a g a% t drin0 31 unces f &ater a da'# If I drin0 .6 unces in the " rning! .2
. -

unces at n

n! and -6

dinner! h & "an' " re unces f &ater d I ha$e t drin0 t reach "' g a% f r the da'@

2 3

. ,

unces at

;# Three sides f *ar0ing % t are "easured t the f %% &ing %engths+

.65

. , . feet! .3- feet! and .1, feet# If the distance ar und the 1 5 .2 % t is 2.5 feet! find the f urth side# .3

.6# <abrie% &ants t "a0e fi$e banners f r the *arade# ?e has :2

feet f "ateria%# The siJe f f ur f the banners are+ ..3

fifth banner@

. . , ft#! .. ft#! and .1 ft# ? & "uch "ateria% is %eft f r the 3 1 -

. ft#! ,

E)ercise .
1! 6 2! 1* 3! , .! 12 *! 3* 6! / 0! . ,! .+ /! 3+ 1+! 1* 11! 6 12! 16 13! 2. 1.! .2 1*! 12+

E)ercise 1! * 2! 1+ 3! 1+ .! / *! , 6! 1* 0! 1 ,! 3 /! . 1+! 1 11! 1 12! 1 13! 1+ 1.! 1 1*! 2 16! 3 10! , 1,! 1+ 1/! 1 2+! 1 21! 1

E)ercise , . 1! . 2 . 2! . 1 . 3! , .! . ,
*! 2

6! . 0! * ,! .

. -

E)ercise 1 2 1! : 2 2! : 3! , .: .! -6 . *! . 3 , 6! . .6
0! ,! /! 1

, , /! 1 1
1+!

1,

2 -1 1 . ;

11! 6 12! 13! 1.! 1*! 16! 10!

1+! 11!

1 4

4 1

,1.

2
;

12! 13! 1.! 1*! 16! 10! 1,!

,.
2-

1,! 0 1/! 2+! 21!

; -3 . 5. -

.3 . :,

1/! 2+! 21!

2 .: . ,

-1 . 3 : -. .. 3 : ..: ,6 , 2 -, ,6 .. 23
-

E)ercise 2 ; 1! .3 .6 2! -. ., 3! .: -1 . .! .3 2 . *! . 1 . 6! , 5 2 0! 3 , ,! .5 , /! 5 2 1+! - 2 .11! ,.6 -.

12! 13! 1.! 1*! 16! 10! 1,! 1/! 2+! 21!

E)ercise 3 . 1! 1 in)hes 5 : 2! . in)hes 5 , 3! , teas-oons 1 .. .! 5 feet .2 *! 5 : 6! -. miles 36 , 0! 2 o(n)es 1 . ,! .: o(n)es , ., /! .61 feet .3
1+!

-6 .

1 ft1

: .1 .
.. 5

22! 1 -,)

; .21 . 2 3, .. 5 3, 2 :, 1. 3 ;2 2 5

; -1) . , 5 -2) .. 1-3) . 2

-:) ,- ,;