Year 6 · Maths · Fractions · Lesson 4
Adding and subtracting mixed numbers
Add and subtract mixed numbers by partitioning into wholes and fractions, exchanging, or converting to improper fractions.
27-minute video lesson
Teaching, worked examples and 20 practice questions solved step by step.
Watch free for a monthWhat your child will learn
- Add mixed numbers
- Subtract mixed numbers
- Exchange improper fraction parts
- Choose a method
- Solve word problems
The method
- Add or subtract the wholes.
- Common denominator for fractions.
- Add or subtract the fractions.
- Exchange, or use improper fractions.
Key words: mixed number, improper fraction, exchange, common denominator, whole.
Worked examples
The first three practice questions from the lesson, with every step.
Question 1
Work out 12/7 + 23/7.
- Step 1: Wholes: 1 + 2 = 3
- Step 2: Fractions: 2/7 + 3/7 = 2/7 + 3/7 = 5/7
- Step 3: 3 + 5/7 = 35/7
Answer: 35/7
Question 2
Work out 45/8 − 11/4.
- Step 1: Wholes: 4 − 1 = 3
- Step 2: Fractions: 5/8 − 1/4 = 5/8 − 2/8 = 3/8
- Step 3: 3 + 3/8 = 33/8
Answer: 33/8
Question 3
Work out 21/3 + 11/6.
- Step 1: Wholes: 2 + 1 = 3
- Step 2: Fractions: 1/3 + 1/6 = 2/6 + 1/6 = 1/2
- Step 3: 3 + 1/2 = 31/2
Answer: 31/2