Fractions Practice: Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide
Adding and subtracting with unlike denominators is grade 5. Dividing fractions is grade 6.
A fraction is a part of a whole. The bottom number (denominator) says how many equal parts the whole is cut into. The top number (numerator) says how many parts you have.
Adding and subtracting
You can only add or subtract parts of the same size, so first rewrite both fractions with a common denominator. Then add or subtract the numerators and keep the denominator.
Multiplying
Multiply top times top and bottom times bottom, then simplify. No common denominator is needed.
Dividing
Keep the first fraction, change division to multiplication, and flip the second fraction. Then multiply.
Worked examples
2/3 + 1/4
- Common denominator 12
- 2/3 = 8/12, 1/4 = 3/12
- 8/12 + 3/12 = 11/12
3/5 x 2/7
- Top: 3 x 2 = 6
- Bottom: 5 x 7 = 35
- Answer: 6/35
3/4 / 1/2
- Flip the second: 1/2 becomes 2/1
- 3/4 x 2/1 = 6/4
- Simplify: 3/2 or 1 1/2
Practice challenge
4 problems with step-by-step answers. Nothing is saved.
Problem 1 of 4 · Fractions
1/4 + 2/4
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