Mathematics
Grade 6
15 min
Add and subtract fractions with like denominators: word problems
Add and subtract fractions with like denominators: word problems
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Translate word problems involving fractions with like denominators into mathematical expressions.
Add fractions with like denominators to solve real-world problems.
Subtract fractions with like denominators to solve real-world problems.
Simplify fractional answers to their simplest form.
Interpret the solution of a fraction word problem in the context of the problem.
Identify keywords in word problems that indicate addition or subtraction of fractions.
Ever shared a pizza or a cake and wondered how much was left or how much you and your friend ate together? 🍕 This lesson will show you how to solve those kinds of real-life fraction puzzles!
In this lesson, you'll learn how to tackle word problems that involve adding and subtracting fractions that ha...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
FractionA number representing a part of a whole or a collection.3/4 means 3 out of 4 equal parts.
NumeratorThe top number in a fraction, showing how many parts are being considered.In 3/4, 3 is the numerator.
DenominatorThe bottom number in a fraction, showing the total number of equal parts the whole is divided into.In 3/4, 4 is the denominator.
Like DenominatorsFractions that have the same denominator.1/5 and 3/5 have like denominators.
Word ProblemA mathematical problem presented in a story format, requiring translation into a numerical expression.Sarah ate 1/4 of a pizza and Tom ate 2/4. How much did they eat together?
SumThe result of adding two or more numbers.The sum of 1/8 and 3/8 is 4/8.
DifferenceThe result of subtracting one number from another.The differe...
3
Core Formulas
Adding Fractions with Like Denominators
$\frac{a}{c} + \frac{b}{c} = \frac{a+b}{c}$
To add fractions with the same denominator, add their numerators and keep the denominator the same. Always simplify the result if possible.
Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators
$\frac{a}{c} - \frac{b}{c} = \frac{a-b}{c}$
To subtract fractions with the same denominator, subtract the second numerator from the first and keep the denominator the same. Always simplify the result if possible.
Simplifying Fractions
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common factor (GCF).
Use this rule to express a fraction in its simplest form, where the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1.
5 more steps in this tutorial
Sign up free to access the complete tutorial with worked examples and practice.
Sign Up Free to ContinueSample Practice Questions
Challenging
A school's fundraiser has a goal of $1000. On Monday, they raised 3/10 of their goal. On Tuesday, they raised 4/10 of their goal. On Wednesday, they received a single donation of $50. What fraction of the fundraising goal was met by the end of Tuesday?
A.7/10
B.1/10
C.7/20
D.8/10
Challenging
Two friends are filling a tank. Friend A fills 4/15 of the tank. Friend B fills 6/15 of the tank. Later, they drain 3/15 of the tank for a sample. Which sequence of operations correctly determines the final fraction of water in the tank?
A.Subtract, then Add
B.Add, then Add
C.Add, then Subtract
D.Subtract, then Subtract
Challenging
A budget is divided among housing, food, and transport. Housing takes up 5/12 of the budget and food takes up 4/12. The rest is for transport. If the food budget is then reduced by 1/12 and that amount is reallocated to transport, what is the new fraction for transport?
A.1/3
B.4/12
C.3/12
D.5/12
Want to practice and check your answers?
Sign up to access all questions with instant feedback, explanations, and progress tracking.
Start Practicing Free