Adding and Subtracting Fractions and Mixed Numbers
Created by Lori Gilchrist
20 questions
5th Grade
Math
Updated Oct 2026
Adding and Subtracting Fractions and Mixed Numbers is a Grade 5 mathematics worksheet that develops accuracy with fraction and mixed-number addition and subtraction. Students solve 20 questions, including 18 multiple-choice items and 2 multiple-select items, involving unlike denominators, improper fractions, mixed numbers, equivalent expressions, and fraction comparisons. Several problems place the calculations in contexts such as sharing food, combining liquid measurements, dividing rope, and comparing quantities.
This free printable worksheet helps students connect computation procedures to practical fraction reasoning. They must identify common denominators, combine or separate fractional and whole-number parts, recognize equivalent answers such as an improper fraction and a mixed number, and select the fraction order or expression that matches a value. It is designed for Grade 5 math practice, independent work, review, or a quick check of understanding, and includes a complete answer key for efficient teacher feedback.
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Worksheets
Adding and Subtracting Fractions and Mixed Numbers
Total questions: 20
Name
Class
Date
1.
What is the sum of 5/8 and 1/2? Pick 2.
a)
9/8
b)
1 1/8
c)
1/8
d)
7/8
2.
What is the difference of 3/4 and 2/3?
a)
17/12
b)
1/12
c)
5/12
d)
1/4
3.
What is the sum of 2/3 and 1/5?
a)
9/10
b)
5/15
c)
13/15
d)
7/15
4.
Olivia invited 19 friends to her birthday party. Her mom ordered 3 cookie cakes for everyone to enjoy. How much of a cookie cake will all 20 people receive?
a)
20/3
b)
6 2/20
c)
3/20
d)
5/20
5.
Solve.
a)
10 7/8
b)
13 11/8
c)
7 3/8
d)
7 3/4
6.
Shreshta is mixing together a soap solution to make bubbles. She measures 5 cups of water, 1 3/4 cup of dishwashing liquid, and 1/2 cup of glycerin. What is the total amount of liquid in cups Shreshta has to make bubbles?
a)
7 1/4 cups of liquid
b)
7 1/8 cups of liquid
c)
6 3/4 cups of liquid
d)
6 1/4 cups of liquid
7.
Evaluate. Express the sum as a fraction.
a)
2/9
b)
8/9
c)
1 1/9
d)
11/9
8.
Solve.
a)
5 8/21
b)
5 20/21
c)
6 8/21
d)
6 20/21
9.
Three horses raced to get to their sweet feed. If each horse received an equal share of a 2 pound bag, how much of a pound of sweet feed did each horse eat?
a)
3/2 pound
b)
1 1/2 pound
c)
2/3 pound
d)
2 pounds
10.
Which answer choice equals 5/8?
a)
1/2 + 1/4
b)
7/8 - 1/4
c)
3/4 +1/8
d)
3/4 - 1/4
11.
What is the sum of 2 3/4 and 1 1/2?
a)
3 3/4
b)
4 1/2
c)
3 1/4
d)
4 1/4
12.
What is the difference between 3 1/2 and 2 5/8?
a)
5/8
b)
7/8
c)
3/4
d)
1 1/8
13.
Marshall is cutting 50 feet of rope into 9 equal pieces. What will be the length of each piece of rope?
a)
5 feet
b)
5 1/9 feet
c)
5 1/3 feet
d)
5 5/9 feet
14.
Which set of fractions are in order from LEAST to GREATEST?
a)
5/12, 3/6, 3/8
b)
6/10, 7/15, 10/30
c)
3/10, 2/5, 12/20
d)
1/4, 1/8, 1,3
15.
Max went to buy ice cream and couldn't decide between the medium and large cups. The medium ice cream cup is 8 2/3 ounces and a large cup is 10 5/8 ounces. How much more ice cream is in the large cup?
a)
1 15/24 ounces
b)
1 23/24 ounces
c)
2 1/4 ounces
d)
2 3/4 ounces
16.
The baker has a 10 pound bag of flour. She uses 2 1/3 cup of flour for cupcakes and 3 3/4 cups of flour for a cake. How much flour does the baker have left?
a)
3 cups of flour
b)
3 2/3 cups of flour
c)
3 11/12 cups of flour
d)
4 1/12 cups of flour
17.
Express the sum as a fraction.
a)
1 1/18
b)
17/18
c)
15/18
d)
9/18
18.
Ms. Song cuts a board that is 16 feet long into 3 equal pieces. Then she realizes that the pieces she cut each need to be 1¼ feet longer than what she first thought. How long does each piece of board need to be?
a)
6 7/12 feet
b)
6 1/12 feet
c)
5 7/12 feet
d)
5 1/12 feet
19.
A pitcher holds 8 cups of water. The water is poured equally into 6 glasses. Which expressions represent how much water is in each glass? Choose TWO.
a)
b)
c)
d)
20.
Take your time and solve.
a)
2 more pounds
b)
1 1/8 more pounds
c)
2 1/4 more pounds
d)
1 7/8 more pounds
Answer Key
Adding and Subtracting Fractions and Mixed Numbers
Total questions: 20
1.
a)
9/8
, b)
1 1/8
2.
b)
1/12
3.
c)
13/15
4.
c)
3/20
5.
c)
7 3/8
6.
a)
7 1/4 cups of liquid
7.
a)
2/9
8.
d)
6 20/21
9.
c)
2/3 pound
10.
b)
7/8 - 1/4
11.
d)
4 1/4
12.
b)
7/8
13.
d)
5 5/9 feet
14.
c)
3/10, 2/5, 12/20
15.
b)
1 23/24 ounces
16.
c)
3 11/12 cups of flour
17.
b)
17/18
18.
a)
6 7/12 feet
19.
a) , d)
20.
a)
2 more pounds
140 %
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FAQs
What does this adding and subtracting fractions worksheet cover?
This Grade 5 worksheet targets adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers, especially problems with unlike denominators. Its 20 items use 18 multiple-choice questions and 2 multiple-select questions to have students compute sums and differences, recognize equivalent forms such as 9/8 and 1 1/8, compare and order fractions, and apply fraction operations in word problems.
How can I use this worksheet to teach adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators?
Before assigning the worksheet, model finding a common denominator, rewriting each fraction, and then combining the numerators while preserving the denominator. Think aloud through one mixed-number example and one context problem, such as combining liquid amounts, then ask students to explain why an improper fraction may also be written as a mixed number. Use the multiple-select item as a discussion prompt about equivalent answers rather than treating it only as a selection task.
What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this fraction worksheet?
Watch for students adding or subtracting numerators and denominators directly, especially in items such as 3/4 − 2/3. In mixed-number problems, students may forget to regroup or simplify after operating on the fractional parts, and in word problems they may choose the total or a single quantity instead of interpreting what is being asked. Students may also miss the multiple-select requirement by choosing only one equivalent form, or misorder fractions without comparing them using a common denominator or another valid strategy.
How do I assign and grade this adding and subtracting fractions worksheet?
On Wayground, this worksheet is available as a printable PDF and as a digital quiz. It includes a complete answer key for the 20 fraction and mixed-number questions, and printable submissions can be graded by scanning student work with the Wayground for Teachers app. The printable option can also support schools that are reducing screen time.
How can I differentiate this fractions worksheet for my students?
Use the worksheet’s Advanced Settings to adjust font spacing and font size so the fraction expressions, mixed numbers, and word-problem text are easier to follow. You can also enable a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language when appropriate. These changes apply to the worksheet file while preserving its multiple-choice and multiple-select format.
Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?
Wayground offers a comprehensive collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across all subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to support essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.
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