Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators

4th Grade MathFractions and Decimals4 pages

About this worksheet

Adding and subtracting like-denominator fractions for 4th grade, spanning Common Core 4.NF.3.a through 4.NF.3.d. Fraction strips carry the first two questions: a sixths strip shaded in two colors builds an addition equation, and an eighths strip with three parts crossed out builds the subtraction. A decomposition table breaks 5/8, 7/10 and 1 2/5 apart two ways each, four computations include the mixed numbers 2 1/4 + 1 2/4 and 4 5/6 - 2 2/6, and two word problems (Maya's sugar, Liam's ribbon) want an equation plus a sentence answer. Answers at the end.

Page 1 of 4

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Curriculum objectives covered

4.NF.3.a

โ€œUnderstand addition and subtraction of fractions as joining and separating parts referring to the same whole.โ€

The two strip models in Part 1, one joining and one separating parts of the same whole.

4.NF.3.b

โ€œDecompose a fraction into a sum of fractions with the same denominator in more than one way, recording each decomposition by an equation. Justify decompositions, e.g., by using a visual fraction model. Examples: 3/8 = 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8 ; 3/8 = 1/8 + 2/8 ; 2 1/8 = 1 + 1 + 1/8 = 8/8 + 8/8 + 1/8.โ€

The Part 2 table: two decompositions each for 5/8, 7/10 and 1 2/5.

4.NF.3.c

โ€œAdd and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators, e.g., by replacing each mixed number with an equivalent fraction, and/or by using properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction.โ€

2 1/4 + 1 2/4 and 4 5/6 - 2 2/6 in Part 3, plus Liam's 5 7/8 - 2 3/8 ribbon cut.

4.NF.3.d

โ€œSolve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions referring to the same whole and having like denominators, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem.โ€

The sugar and ribbon problems in Part 4, each closed with a sentence answer.

What's inside this worksheet

Part 1: Visual Models (Joining & Separating)

A six-part strip with 2 dark and 3 light shaded parts becomes an addition equation. An eight-part strip with 3 of its 7 shaded parts crossed out becomes the matching subtraction.

Part 2: Decomposing Fractions

5/8, 7/10 and 1 2/5 each split two different ways, with the mixed number scaffolded as 5/5 + ______.

Part 3: Practice Operations

3/10 + 4/10, 9/12 - 4/12, 2 1/4 + 1 2/4 and 4 5/6 - 2 2/6, with answers in simplest form.

Part 4: Fraction Word Problems

Maya's muffins need 3/4 cup of sugar for batter plus 1/4 cup for topping. Liam cuts 2 3/8 yards from 5 7/8 yards of ribbon. Both demand an equation and a full-sentence answer.

How teachers use it

Sequence anchor

The sheet's order is the teaching order. If Part 2 falls apart, stop; decomposition is what makes the mixed-number work in Part 3 possible.

Sentence answers

Part 4's sentence-answer lines train the habit of answering the question asked. Grade the sentence, not only the fraction.

Intervention

For students still counting shaded boxes one at a time, run Part 1 with real paper strips before the worksheet version.

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