Adding and Subtracting Fractions With a Twist

To Add or Subtract Fractions With Like Denominators: 1) Add the numerators. 2) Keep the same denominators.3) Simplify, if needed.

Answer will be a proper fraction or an improper fraction.

Two Types of Fractions: 1) Proper Fractions – the numerator is smaller than the denominator.

2/3 4/5 14/100 3/11

Ex: 1/3 + 1/3 = 2/3 (Simplest Form)7/9 – 4/9 = 5/9 (Simplest Form)

Some answers must be simplified:

3/10 + 1/10 = 4/10 ÷ 2/2 = 2/5 (Simplify)

7/9 – 4/9 = 3/9 ÷ 3/3 = 1/3 (Simplify)

3/45 + 27/45 = 30/45 ÷ 5/5 = 6/9 ÷ 3/3 = 2/3(Simplify) (Simplify Again)

2) Improper Fractions – the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator.10/9 8/3 150/25 6/6 210/210

If answer is an improper fraction, you must DIVIDE to simplify.

Ex: 11/9 – 1/9 = 10/9 = 1 1/10 Divide

14/3 – 6/3 = 8/3 = 2 2/3Divide

Ex. 8/20 + 16/20 = 24/20 ÷ 2/2 = 12/20 ÷ 2/2 = 6/5 = 1 1/5

Simplify 1st.Divide 2nd.

Draw a number line and put five tick marks on each side. Label 5th tick marks 1 and -1.Put a point on 2/5. 2/5 – 4/5.

Draw a number line and put five tick marks on each side. Label the 4th tick marks 1 and -1. Put a point on 5/4. 5/4 – 8/4.