1.4.3

Add & Subtract Fractions

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Adding and Subtracting Fractions With the Same Denominator

When we add or subtract fractions, we must make sure the denominator of both fractions is the same.

E.g.1 Same denominator

E.g.1 Same denominator

  • If the denominator of both fractions is already the same we simply add or subtract the numerators.
What is $$\frac{4}{5} - \frac{1}{5}$$?

What is 45−15\frac{4}{5} - \frac{1}{5}?

  • The denominators are the same so we just need to subtract the numerators (4 − 1 = 3).
  • Keep the denominator the same.

Adding and Subtracting Fractions With Different Denominators

When we add or subtract fractions, we must make sure the denominator of both fractions is the same.

Example 1

Example 1

  • If the denominators are NOT the same, we need to make them the same using an equivalent fraction.
Example 1

Example 1

  • When finding an equivalent fraction we must multiply or divide both the top and bottom row by the same amount.
Example 1

Example 1

  • Once both the fractions have the same denominator, we can add or subtract the numerators.
What is $$\frac{3}{4} - \frac{1}{5}$$?

What is 34−15\frac{3}{4} - \frac{1}{5}?

  • We cannot do the subtraction straight away because the fractions do NOT have the same denominator.
What is $$\frac{3}{4} - \frac{1}{5}$$?

What is 34−15\frac{3}{4} - \frac{1}{5}?

  • Using equivalent fractions, convert the fraction so that they have the same denominator.
What is $$\frac{3}{4} - \frac{1}{5}$$?

What is 34−15\frac{3}{4} - \frac{1}{5}?

  • Once both the fractions have the same denominator, we can add or subtract the numerators.
Jump to other topics
1

Year 5 - Number

1.1

Number & Place Value

1.1.1The Value of Digits to Millions1.1.2Smallest & Biggest Numbers to Millions1.1.3Ordering Numbers to Millions1.1.4Counting in Powers of 101.1.5Counting in Negative Numbers1.1.6Rounding Numbers up to 1,000,0001.1.7Reading Roman Numerals
1.2

Addition & Subtraction

1.2.1Written Methods for Adding Large Numbers1.2.2Written Methods for Subtracting Large Numbers1.2.3Mental Addition & Subtraction1.2.4Rounding to Check Your Answer
1.3

Multiplication & Division

1.3.1Multiples1.3.2Factors1.3.3Prime Numbers1.3.4Prime Factors1.3.5Composite Numbers1.3.6Factor Trees1.3.7Multiplication by a 1 Digit Number1.3.8Long Multiplication Using Column Method1.3.9Times Tables1.3.10Division1.3.11Multiplying & Dividing by 10, 100 & 1,0001.3.12Square & Cube Numbers
1.4

Fractions & Decimals

1.4.1Compare & Order Fractions1.4.2Identifying Equivalent Fractions1.4.3Add & Subtract Fractions1.4.4Mixed Numbers & Improper Fractions1.4.5Multiplying Fractions by Whole Numbers1.4.6Converting Between Decimals & Fractions1.4.7Rounding Decimals1.4.8Ordering Decimals
2

Year 5 - Measurement

2.1

Measures

2.1.1Metric Measurements2.1.2Imperial Measurements
2.2

Perimeter & Area

2.2.1Perimeter2.2.2Area
2.3

Time

2.3.1Units of Time
3

Year 5 - Geometry

3.1

Properties of 3D Shapes

3.1.1Types of 3D Shapes3.1.2Faces, Edges & Vertices
3.2

Properties of 2D Shapes

3.2.1Polygons
3.3

Angles

3.3.1Angles in Degrees3.3.2Types of Angle3.3.3Finding Missing Angles
3.4

Position & Direction

3.4.1Reflection & Translation
4

Year 5 - Statistics

4.1

Graphs

4.1.1Line Graphs4.1.2Tables4.1.3Timetables
5

Year 6 - Number

5.1

Number & Place Value

5.1.1The Value of Digits to Ten Millions5.1.2Ordering Numbers to Millions5.1.3Rounding5.1.4Negative Numbers
5.2

Multiplication & Division

5.2.1Multiplication by a 2 Digit Number5.2.2Division5.2.3Multiples5.2.4Factors5.2.5Primes
5.3

Mental Maths

5.3.1Multiplying & Dividing by 10, 100 & 1,0005.3.2Addition & Subtraction5.3.3Adding & Subtracting 10, 100 & 1,0005.3.4Multiplication & Division
5.4

Order of Operations

5.4.1BIDMAS
5.5

Problem Solving

5.5.1Addition & Subtraction Multi-step Problems5.5.2Problem Solving with Proportion
5.6

Fractions & Decimals

5.6.1Simplifying Fractions Using Equivalents5.6.2Ordering Different Types of Fraction5.6.3Adding & Subtracting Fractions5.6.4Adding & Subtracting Mixed Numbers5.6.5Multiplying Fractions5.6.6Dividing Fractions by Whole Numbers5.6.7Converting Between Decimals & Fractions5.6.8Dividing Decimals
6

Year 6 - Ratio & Proportion

6.1

Ratio

6.1.1Using Ratios6.1.2Simplifying Ratios
6.2

Percentages

6.2.1Calculating Percentages
6.3

Scale

6.3.1Scale of 2D Shapes
7

Year 6 - Algebra

7.1

Sequences

7.1.1Describing Sequences7.1.2Finding Gaps in Sequences
7.2

Missing Number Problems

7.2.1Missing Number Problems
7.3

Equations

7.3.1Balancing Equations7.3.2Combining Two Variables
8

Year 6 - Measurement

8.1

Problem Solving

8.1.1Problem Solving with Measures
8.2

Unit Conversion

8.2.1Conversion Between Miles & Kilometres
8.3

Perimeter, Area & Volume

8.3.1Area8.3.2Volume8.3.3Nets8.3.4Faces, Edges & Vertices
8.4

Angles

8.4.1Types of Angle8.4.2Finding Missing Angles8.4.3Finding Missing Angles in Triangles8.4.4Vertically Opposite Angles
8.5

Circles

8.5.1Parts of a Circle
8.6

Coordinate Grids

8.6.1Positions on Coordinate Grids8.6.2Reflection & Translation
9

Year 6 - Statistics

9.1

Displaying Data

9.1.1Pie Charts9.1.2Line Graphs
9.2

Averages

9.2.1Mean

Practice questions on Add & Subtract Fractions

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which of the following additions or subtractions of fractions are correct?True / false
  2. 2
    Which of the following additions or subtractions of fractions are correct?True / false
  3. 3
    What is $$\frac{2}{5} - \frac{1}{5}$$?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What is $$\frac{4}{11} + \frac{6}{11}$$?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Which of the following are correct?True / false
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Identifying Equivalent Fractions

Mixed Numbers & Improper Fractions