How it works
The bottom number names the size of the pieces. The top numbers count them.
With the same bottom, add or take away only the tops. The bottom stays.
Simplify at the end if you can: 3/6 is the same as 1/2.
Worked examples
Take away tops
- 5/6 − 2/6 = ?
- The bottoms are both 6, so the pieces are the same size.
- 5 − 2 = 3, so 3/6.
- 3/6 is the same as 1/2.
- So the answer is 1/2.
In a story
- Sam has seven eighths of a chocolate bar. Sam eats one eighth of the chocolate bar. How much is left? Type it.
- Seven eighths, then one eighth is eaten.
- 7 − 1 = 6, so 6/8.
- 6/8 is the same as 3/4.
- So the answer is 3/4.
A small one
- 3/8 − 2/8 = ?
- Both bottoms are 8.
- 3 − 2 = 1, so 1/8.
- It can't be simplified.
- So the answer is 1/8.
A taste of the worksheet
These are the first problems of set A. The printable sheet has many more, with an answer key.
- Sam ate the shaded part of the first bar and the shaded part of the second bar. How much did he eat in all? 3/6 + 2/6 = ___