Add and Subtract Unlike Fractions and Mixed Numbers Word Problems

When the denominators are not the same, I must find a...

• common numerator

• common denominator

• equivalent fraction

• mixed number

When adding or subtracting fractions, I NEVER add or subtract the...

• numerators

• denominators

• mixed numbers

• equivalent fractions

Is this a correct answer?

• Yes, the student correctly added.

• No, you cannot add unlike denominators

• No, 5 + 7 is not 12

• No, 2 + 3 is not 5

Simon has 1/5 of a gallon of cranberry juice, 1/3 of a gallon of apple juice, and 7/10 of a gallon of grape juice. How much juice does Simon have?

• 9/30

• 1/2

• 1  7/30

• 1  13/30

What is the first step in solving this problem? 
⅘ + ½ =

• Add the top parts of the fraction

• Rewrite the fractions in the simplest form. 

• Find a common denominator. 

• Make each fraction into an improper faction. 

What does Ms. Parten say you should think of when you see unlike denominators?

• green flag

• white flag

• pizza

• red flag

Jenna bought a spool of ribbon for her craft projects. It contained 5 3/4 meters of ribbon.  She used 3 2/5 meters of ribbon for a project.  How many meters of ribbon does Jenna have left?

• 2 7/20

• 1 8/20

• 4 3/20

• 3 7/20

John's full backpack weighs 5 1/2 pounds, and Tyrone's full backpack weighs 6 3/5 pounds. What is the total weight of both boys' backpacks?

• 12 4/10

• 10 2/10

• 11 1/10

• 12 1/10

Explain how to add fractions with unlike denominators.

• Find a common denominator, convert the fractions, and then add the numerators.

• Add the numerators and denominators directly.

• Multiply the fractions together.

• Subtract the smaller fraction from the larger one.

Answer explanation

To add fractions with unlike denominators, first find a common denominator. Then, convert each fraction to an equivalent fraction with this common denominator. Finally, add the numerators and keep the common denominator.

The process of adding with mixed numbers involves:

• Converting mixed numbers to improper fractions, adding them, and converting back to mixed numbers if necessary.

• Adding the whole numbers and fractions separately without any conversion.

• Converting mixed numbers to decimals and then adding them.

• Adding only the fractional parts and ignoring the whole numbers.

Answer explanation

The correct process for adding mixed numbers is to convert them to improper fractions, perform the addition, and then convert back to mixed numbers if needed. This ensures accuracy in the calculation.