Adding and Subtracting

Fractions
 Learning Objective
• To add and subtract fractions.

Success Criteria
• To add and subtract fractions with the same denominator.
• To add and subtract fractions with different denominators.
• To add and subtract mixed number fractions.
 Starter: Lowest Common Multiple
Find the lowest common multiple for each pair of numbers.

1 3 and 4 12
2 5 and 6 30
3 3 and 6 6
4 4 and 8 8
5 5 and 10 10

Extension
Find the missing numbers for each fraction.
2 ?
1. –5 = —
20
5 ?
2. –8 = —
40
5 25
3. –6 = —?
 Starter: Lowest Common Multiple
Find the lowest common multiple for each pair of numbers.

1 3 and 4 12
2 5 and 6 30
3 3 and 6 6
4 4 and 8 8
5 5 and 10 10

Extension
Find the missing numbers for each fraction.
2 8
1. –5 = —
20
5 25
2. –8 = —
40
5 25
3. –6 = —
30
 Adding and Subtracting Fractions with
the Same Denominator
To add fractions which have the same denominator, you must add only the
numerators together.
2 5 7
—
10
+ —
10
= —
10

Practice Question
2
Prove that – 62+ – 62is – 3

=
Adding and Subtracting Fractions with
Different Denominators
2 chairs + 3 chairs = 5 chairs
7 rulers – 5 rulers = 2 rulers

What would 2 chairs + 7 rulers be?

We can’t add them together because they aren’t the same object. We can only add
them together when they are the same. This is the same for fractions.
Adding and Subtracting Fractions with
Different Denominators
2 3
–5 + —
10
At the moment you can’t add these fractions together because they have different
denominators.

Remember, they must have the same denominator before you can add the fractions
together.

What could we do to the fractions so we can add them?

Discuss this with the person next to you.
 Adding and Subtracting Fractions with
Different Denominators
3
–2 + —
10
5
1 We need to find the lowest common multiple for 5 and 10.
10
2 This needs to be the denominator for both fractions.
3
–2 + —
10
5
? 3
—
10
+—
10

3 Now write the equivalent fraction for –52

2 4
–5 = —
10

4 Now that the denominators are the same, perform the addition.
4 3 7
—
10
+—
10
=—
10
 Adding and Subtracting Fractions with
Different Denominators
1
–5 - –4
8
1 We need to find the lowest common multiple for 8 and 4.
8
2 This needs to be the denominator for both fractions.
5 1
— -—
4
8
5 ?
—
8
-—
8

3 Now write the equivalent fraction for –41

1 2
–4 = —
8

4 Now that the denominators are the same, perform the subtraction.
5 2 3
—
8
-—
8
= —8
 Adding and Subtracting Fractions with
Different Denominators
1 2
–+–
4 7
1 We need to find the lowest common multiple for 4 and 7.
28
2 This needs to be the denominator for both fractions.
1 2 ? ?
— +—
7
— +—
4 28 28

3 Now write the equivalent fraction for –41

1 2 7 8
— +— — +—
4 7 28 28

4 Now that the denominators are the same, perform the subtraction.
7 8 1
—
28
+—
28
=—5
28
 Adding and Subtracting Fractions with
Different Denominators
3 2
–-–
4 5
1 We need to find the lowest common multiple for 4 and 5.
20
2 This needs to be the denominator for both fractions.
3 2 ? ?
— -—
5
— -—
4 20 20

3 Now write the equivalent fractions.

3 2 15 8
—-— —-—
4 5 20 20

4 Now that the denominators are the same, perform the subtraction.
1 8 7
—
5
20
-—
20
=—
20
Adding and Subtracting Fractions with
Different Denominators
Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Different Denominators Activity Sheets
 Adding and Subtracting Mixed Number
Fractions
How could we calculate the following?
Discuss with the person next to you.

1
2 –1 + 3 –3
4
Adding and Subtracting Mixed Number
Fractions
1 Convert your mixed number fractions to improper fractions.
1 1
2—+3—
4 3
9 10
–+—
4 3

2 Find the lowest common multiple for 4 and 3.

12

3 This needs to be the denominator for both fractions.

9 10
–+—
4 3
? ?
—+—
12 12
Adding and Subtracting Mixed Number
Fractions
4 Write the equivalent fractions.
9 10
–+—
4 3
2740
—+—
12 12

5 Now that the denominators are the same, perform the addition.
27 40 67
—
12
+—
12
=—
12

6 Don’t forget to write your answer as a mixed number fraction, if appropriate.

67 7
—=5 —
12 12
Adding and Subtracting Mixed Number
Fractions
1 Convert your mixed number fractions to improper fractions.
2 1
3 — - 2—
5 4
1 9
— -—
57 4

2 Find the lowest common multiple for 5 and 4.

20

3 This needs to be the denominator for both fractions.

1 9
—
7 -—
5 4
? ?
—-—
20 20
Adding and Subtracting Mixed Number
Fractions
4 Write the equivalent fractions.
1 9
—
7 -—
5 4
68 45
—-—
20 20

5 Now that the denominators are the same, perform the subtraction.
68 45 23
—-—=—
20 20 20

Don’t forget to write your answer as a mixed number fraction, if appropriate.

6

23 3
—=1—
20 20
 Adding and Subtracting Mixed Number
Fractions
Adding and Subtracting Mixed Number Fractions Activity Sheet
 Challenge:
Write a 5-step guide on how to add and subtract fractions.