Adding & Subtracting Fractions

Teacher Notes: Use this presentation to teach the steps for adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. It is assumed that students have a thorough understanding of the process for making equivalent fractions. CLICK HERE to view a demonstration with opportunities for students to practice making equivalent fractions.

We need a common denominator to add these fractions.

We need a common denominator to add these fractions.

2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 7, 14, 21, 28, 35

2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20

7, 14, 21, 28, 35

The first number IN COMMON that appears on both lists becomes the common denominator

x7 X7
x2 x2

6
7 + 6 = 13

13

We need a common denominator to add these fractions.

7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45

x5 X5
x7 x7

15

7
15 + 7 = 22

22

We need a common denominator to add these fractions.

7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63

8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72

x8
x8 x7 x7

32

21
32 + 21 = 53

53

We need a common denominator to add these fractions.

3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27

5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45

x3
X3 x5 x5

9
9 + 10 = 19

10

19

We need a common denominator to add these fractions.

3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77

x3 X3
x 11 x 11

15

22
15 + 22 = 37

37

We need a common denominator to add these fractions.

3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27

6, 12, 18, 24,

x2 X2
x1 x1

4+1=5

We need a common denominator to add these fractions.

11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72

x6 X6
x 11 x 11

18

11
18 + 11 = 29

29

We need a common denominator to add these fractions.

We need a common denominator to add these fractions.

5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81

5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45

9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81

The first number IN COMMON that appears on both lists becomes the common denominator

x9 x9
x5 x5

36

35

36 + 35 = 71

71

We need a common denominator to add these fractions.

12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 79, 80, 88, 96

x2
x2 x3 x3

10

9
10 + 9 = 19

19

We need a common denominator to subtract a fraction from another.

5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77

x5
x5 x 11 x 11

15
11
15 - 11 = 4

We need a common denominator to subtract one fraction from another.

2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20

10, 20, 30

x5
x5 x1 x1

5
3
53= 2

Try These
A B C D E F

Answers On Next Slide Each click on the next slide reveals an answer. Check your papers. If you discover an incorrect answer, be able to explain your mistake.

Try These
A B C
17 27
13 12 19 20

D E F

10 9
41 28 26 21