Adding and Subtracting Fractions - Word Problems

Front

What is a fraction?

Back

A fraction represents a part of a whole. It consists of a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number).

Front

What does it mean to add fractions?

Back

Adding fractions means combining parts of a whole. To add fractions, they must have the same denominator.

Front

What does it mean to subtract fractions?

Back

Subtracting fractions means taking away a part from a whole. Like addition, the fractions must have the same denominator.

Front

How do you find a common denominator?

Back

To find a common denominator, identify the least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators of the fractions you want to add or subtract.

Front

What is the first step in solving a word problem involving fractions?

Back

The first step is to read the problem carefully and identify the fractions involved.

Front

If Dr. Stancil has 5/8 of a box of chocolate and eats 1/4, how do you find out how much is left?

Back

Convert 1/4 to a fraction with a denominator of 8 (1/4 = 2/8), then subtract: 5/8 - 2/8 = 3/8.

Front

What fraction of baseball cards did Jamison give away if he gave away 7 out of 10?

Back

Jamison gave away 7/10 of the baseball cards.

Front

How do you add 3/4 and 1/8?

Back

Find a common denominator (which is 8), convert 3/4 to 6/8, then add: 6/8 + 1/8 = 7/8.

Front

What fraction of the beads is green if 8/15 are blue and 4/15 are red?

Back

To find the green beads, subtract the blue and red from the whole: 1 - (8/15 + 4/15) = 3/15.

Front

If Mrs. Jarvis has read 2/3 of a book and reads 1/6 more, how much is left?

Back

Subtract the total read from 1: 1 - (2/3 + 1/6) = 1/6 left.