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Grade 4 · Maths · Lessons
Mixed numbers, same bottom
🍫wholes➗parts➕add🔄swap
Mixed numbers.
The big ideaWholes first, then parts. When the parts run short or reach a whole, swap one whole for parts.

How it works

Wholes first, then parts. Add the wholes, then add the parts.

When the parts reach a whole, swap one whole for parts.

When parts run short in a take-away, swap one whole for parts.

Wholes• 4 + 2 = 6Parts• 3/5 + 4/5 = 7/5• 7/5 = 1 2/5
4 3/5 + 2 4/5.

Example 1: Add

  1. 4 3/5 + 2 4/5 = ?
  2. Wholes: 4 + 2 = 6.
  3. Parts: 3/5 + 4/5 = 7/5, which is 1 whole and 2/5.
  4. 6 + 1 = 7, with 2/5 left.
  5. So the answer is 7 2/5.

Example 2: Add and simplify

  1. 1 2/6 + 1 1/6 = ?
  2. Wholes: 1 + 1 = 2.
  3. Parts: 2/6 + 1/6 = 3/6, which is 1/2.
  4. So the answer is 2 1/2.

Example 3: Take away

  1. 2 3/4 − 1 3/4.
  2. Wholes: 2 − 1 = 1. Parts: 3/4 − 3/4 = 0.
  3. The answer is 1.

Words to know

mixed number
A whole number and a fraction together.
improper fraction
A fraction with a top bigger than its bottom.

Watch out

Try it

  1. 4 1/3 + 2 1/3 = ?
  2. Write 11/6 as a mixed number.
  3. 1 2/5 − 1 1/5 = ?
Answers: 1. 6 2/3 · 2. 1 5/6 · 3. 0 1/5
For grown-upsMeasure ingredients with fractions of a cup and add them together.
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