Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Prior Knowledge:
• Equivalent fractions.
• Writing fractions in their simplest form.
• Lowest common multiple.
• How to convert between mixed number and improper fractions.

In a fraction, the denominator (the bottom part) tells you how many equal parts there are in a
whole and the numerator (top part) tells you how many parts you have. You are able to add and
subtract fractions that have the same denominator.

Fractions with the Same Denominator

Example 1 Example 2
2 5 3 2
Calculate + . Calculate – .
10 10 8 8
To add fractions which have the same To subtract fractions which have the same
denominator, you must add only the denominator, you must subtract only the
numerators together. numerators.
2 5 7 3 2 1
+ = – =
10 10 10 8 8 8

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 Adding and Subtracting Fractions
You can add or subtract fractions with different denominators by first writing them as equivalent
fractions with the same denominator.

Fractions with Different Denominators

Example 3 Example 4
2 1 5 1
Calculate + . Calculate – , giving your answer as a
3 4 10 6
fraction in its simplest form.
1. Find the lowest common multiple for 3
and 4. 1. Find the lowest common multiple for 10
12 and 6.
30

2. This becomes the denominator for both

2. This becomes the denominator for both
fractions.
fractions.
+
12 12 –
30 30

2
3. Write the equivalent fraction for . 5
3 3. Write the equivalent fraction for .
8 10
12 15
30

1
4. Write the equivalent fraction for . 1
4 4. Write the equivalent fraction for .
3 6
12 5
30

5. Now that the denominators are the

same, perform the addition. 5. Now that the denominators are the
same, perform the subtraction.
8 3 11
+ = 15 5 10
12 12 12
– =
30 30 30

6. Finally, write the fraction in its simplest

form.
10 1
=
30 3

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 Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Adding and Subtracting Mixed Number Fractions

Example 5
2 1
Calculate 1 + 3 , giving your answer as a mixed number fraction in its simplest form.
5 4
Start by converting each of the mixed number fractions into an improper fraction.
2 7
1 =
5 5
1 13
3 =
4 4

Re-write as equivalent fractions with the same denominator.

7 28
=
5 20
13 65
=
4 20

Perform the addition.

28 65 93
+ =
20 20 20

Finally, write the fraction as a mixed number fraction in its simplest form.
93 13
=4
20 20

Your Turn
1. Find the lowest common multiples for each pair of numbers.

a. 3 and 4 e. 5 and 15

 

b. 5 and 7 f. 8 and 10

 

c. 3 and 6 g. 4 and 7

 

d. 4 and 8 h. 2 and 5

 

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 Adding and Subtracting Fractions
2. Calculate each of the following questions, making sure all answers are in their simplest form.

2 2 2 1
a. + d. +
5 5 3 3

 

6 1 13 4
b. – e. –
8 8 18 18

 

1 2
c. +
9 9

3. Calculate each of the following questions, giving your answers as fractions in their simplest
form.

2 3 1 1
a. + e. +
5 10 2 5

 

1 1 3 2
b. + f. –
8 2 5 7

 

10 1 5 3
c. – g. –
12 6 9 11

 

3 4 5 3
d. – h. +
5 15 6 7

 

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 Adding and Subtracting Fractions
4. Calculate each of the following questions, giving your answers as mixed number fractions in
their simplest form.

1 1 5 1
a. 1 + 2 d. 3 + 1
4 5 8 12

 

 

1 1 3 3
b. 2 + 3 e. 6 + 4
6 2 5 4

 

 

1 1
c. 5 – 2
7 3

1 2
5. Jameela wins some money. She gives the money to her family and spends on a car. What
2 9
fraction of the money does she have left?

Challenge
1 3
A rectangular mobile phone has a length of 13 cm and a width of 5 cm. Calculate the perimeter
2 4
of the phone, giving your answer as a mixed number fraction in its simplest form.

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