Fractions: The Basics

• Equivalent Fractions
• Simplest Form
• Addition
• Subtraction
 Equivalent Fractions: fractions that use
different numbers to show the same amount.

There will be times when you will need to multiply both the numerator and the
denominator by the same factor, and other times when you will need to divide
the numerator and the denominator by the same factor. The important key to
remember is that the fraction must stay equivalent to the original fraction. Our
key phase will be “Whatever you do to the bottom, you have to do to the top.”
Simplest Form: Writing a fraction using the
smallest possible numbers without changing
the meaning of the fraction.
 In 6th grade, you will be expected to write all of your answers to fraction
questions in “simplest form.”
 This is where all of our work on Greatest Common Factor pays off! Go GCF!
Write each fraction in simplest form.
Think about Greatest Common Factor and Divisibility Rules.

12 35 21
18 50 56

6 24 32
16 40 48
Time to check your brain growth!
Addition and Subtraction of Proper Fractions

 To add or subtract fractions, they MUST have the same denominator. Think
Least Common Multiple!

5 7 1 1
+ = + =
14 14 5 2

10 6 5 5
- 15 = - 16 =
15 12
5 2 3 1
+ = - =
12 6 4 3

19 2 8 5
-7= - 12 =
21 9
Time to check your brain growth on Addition
and Subtraction of Proper Fractions!
 Addition of Mixed Numbers

 Add the fractional parts. (Make sure the denominators are the same first!!!!!)

 Add the whole numbers.

 Simplify your answer.
 What to watch for: Is the fractional part of your answer proper or improper?
You may need to convert an improper fraction to a proper fraction.

2 7 2 2
4 +2 = 3 +4 =
13 13 3 5
 32 9 7 5
24 + 42 = 3 + 5 6=
45 10 8

4 3 6 22
+3 = 5 +2 =
6 4 17 51
Time to check your brain growth on
Adding Mixed Numbers!
 Subtraction of Mixed Numbers

 Subtract the fractional parts of the numbers. (Make sure the denominators are the same first!)

***** What to watch for: Sometimes when you try to subtract the fractional
parts, you find that you can’t because the first numerator is less than the second
numerator. When this happens, you need to regroup from the whole number.

 Subtract the whole numbers.

 Simplify your answer.

3 1 1 3
5 -2 = 3 -2 =
4 4 3 4
 7 3 1
6–2 = 2 -1 =
8 5 5

1 2 1 5
15 - 8 = 10 -4 =
6 3 3 6
Time to check your brain growth on
subtracting Mixed Numbers!