12th November 2012

Objective: to be able to add and subtract fractions with a different

denominator (level 7/Grade E)

Extension: to add mixed fractions

By the end of the lesson:

All: will be able to add fractions with the same denominator.
Most: will be able to subtract fractions with the same denominators.
Some: will be able to simplify answers and convert the improper
fraction to mixed numbers
Adding and subtracting simple fractions
When fractions have the same denominator it is quite easy
to add them together and to subtract them.
For example:
3 1 3+1 4
+ = =
5 5 5 5

We can show this calculation in a diagram:

+ =
Adding and subtracting simple fractions

1
1 7 4 1+7+4 12 3 1
9
+
9
+
9
=
9
=
9
= 19 3 = 1 3

Top-heavy or improper fractions should be written as

mixed numbers.

Again, we can show this calculation in a diagram:

+ + =
Starter – add and subtract the fractions together.
Simplify and convert to mixed numbers where possible
 Adding and Subtracting Fractions

What must we always have to be able to add or

subtract fractions?
Hint: Something must be the same?

When we do not have the same denominators

what do we do?
Fractions with different denominators
Fractions with different denominators are more difficult to
add and subtract.

1 1
What is + ?
2 3

We can show this sum using diagrams:

+ =

3 2 3+2 5
+ = =
6 6 6 6
Fractions with different denominators
Fractions with different denominators are more difficult to
add and subtract.

1 1
What is + ?
2 3

We can show this sum using diagrams:

+ =

3 2 3+2 5
+ = =
6 6 6 6
Using a common denominator

3 1 5
What is 1 4
+
9
+
12
?

3) Write each fraction over the lowest common denominator.

×9 ×4 ×3

7 63 1 4 5 15
= = =
4 36 9 36 12 36

×9 ×4 ×3
4) Add the fractions together.
63 4 15 63 + 4 + 15 82 10 5
36
+
36
+
36
=
36
=
36
= 2 36
= 2 18
 Adding Fractions

You need to make the denominators the same!

 Subtracting Fractions

You need to make the denominators the same!

 Your Turn
Green Red

5 7
Mixed Numbers Adding
 Dividing Mixed Numbers
Green Red
 Answers
Green Red
 To finish
James and Brian order pizzas. James eats six
eighths of his pizza and Brian only manages to eat
two sevenths of his. If we put the left over pizza
together, can we make one whole pizza?

James Brian
 In your own words...

What you have learned to do in

today’s lesson