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Adding & Subtracting Mixed Numbers

Maths: Year 5 & 6 National Curriculum, topic 5.6.4

Adding & Subtracting Mixed Numbers

You can add and subtract mixed numbers by working out the whole numbers and the fractions separately.

Example 1

Example 1

  • Example 1 will look at adding two mixed numbers together.
  • Start by adding the whole numbers:
  • 1 + 2 = 3
Example 1 cont.

Example 1 cont.

  • Then add the fractions:
  • 25\large\frac{2}{5} + 15\large\frac{1}{5} = 35\large\frac{3}{5}
Example 2

Example 2

  • Example 2 will look at adding two mixed numbers together.
  • Start by adding the whole numbers:
  • 4 + 2 = 6
Example 2 cont.

Example 2 cont.

  • Then add the fractions:
  • 57\large\frac{5}{7} + 47\large\frac{4}{7} = 97\large\frac{9}{7}
Example 2 cont.

Example 2 cont.

  • 97\large\frac{9}{7} is an improper fraction.
  • 97\large\frac{9}{7} is the same as 127\large\frac{2}{7}.
  • 697\large\frac{9}{7} is the same as 6 + 127\large\frac{2}{7} = 727\large\frac{2}{7}

Adding & Subtracting Mixed Numbers

You can add and subtract mixed numbers by working out the whole numbers and the fractions separately.

Example 3

Example 3

  • The denominators (bottom numbers) on the fractions need to be the same to add (or subtract) the fractions.
  • You need to find equivalent fractions to make the denominators the same so you can add (or subtract) mixed numbers.
  • 223\large\frac{2}{3} = 246\large\frac{4}{6}
Example 3 cont.

Example 3 cont.

  • You can add the mixed numbers once the denominators (bottom numbers) are the same.
  • 2 + 1 = 3
  • 46\large\frac{4}{6} + 16\large\frac{1}{6} = 56\large\frac{5}{6}

Test yourself on Adding & Subtracting Mixed Numbers

  • What is 467\large\frac{6}{7} + 127\large\frac{2}{7}?

  • What is 119\large\frac{1}{9} + 649\large\frac{4}{9}?

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