Adding and subtracting fractions worksheets
Aligned with Common Core 4.NF.B.3
Printable fourth-grade adding and subtracting fractions worksheets and how-to teaching pages: break apart a fraction, add and subtract fractions with the same bottom number, mixed numbers and improper fractions, adding and subtracting mixed numbers, and fraction word problems.
The worksheets
- See it all
How to Break Apart a Fraction
5/8 broken into single eighths and into groups two different ways, and the mixed number 2 1/8 written as 8/8 + 8/8 + 1/8.
Break Apart a Fraction
Fractions to write as a sum two different ways, like 5/8 = 2/8 + 3/8. More adds mixed numbers, like 1 3/8 = 8/8 + 3/8. Many answers are right.
- See it all
How to Add and Subtract Fractions
Worked examples with strips: 3/8 + 2/8, 7/10 − 4/10, and 1 − 3/8 by writing 1 as 8/8, with why the bottom number never changes.
Add Fractions
Adding fractions with the same bottom number on graph paper. Fewer shows both parts on the strip, Standard has a strip to shade, and More adds three fractions, sums more than 1, and hundredths.
Subtract Fractions
Subtracting fractions with the same bottom number on graph paper. Fewer shows the crossed-out parts, Standard has a strip to cross out, and More adds 1 minus a fraction, improper fractions and hundredths.
- See it all
How to Change Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions
Step-by-step worked examples changing 2 3/4 to 11/4 and 14/5 to 2 4/5, with circle pictures to check.
Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions
Changing mixed numbers like 2 3/4 to improper fractions like 11/4, and back. Fewer has circle pictures, and More uses bigger whole numbers.
- See it all
How to Add and Subtract Mixed Numbers
Worked examples of 1 3/4 + 2 2/4 with trading 4/4 for a whole, and 3 1/4 − 1 3/4 with trading a whole for 4/4.
Add and Subtract Mixed Numbers
Adding and subtracting mixed numbers with the same bottom number on graph paper, with rows to work in. Fewer and Standard have no regrouping, and More adds regrouping.
Fraction Word Problems
Stories about pizza, flour, walking, ribbon, paint, juice and reading with fractions that have the same bottom number. More adds mixed numbers.
Print the whole packet
One copy of every sheet above, in order. Tap + for more copies (up to 10).
For the parent or teacher
What it is
When fractions have the same bottom number, the pieces are the same size, so you add or subtract just the top numbers: 3/8 + 2/8 = 5/8. Fourth graders also break fractions apart into sums, change between mixed numbers like 2 3/4 and improper fractions like 11/4, and add and subtract mixed numbers.
What comes next
Multiplying a fraction by a whole number.
How to teach it
- Use fraction strips. 3 eighths plus 2 eighths is 5 eighths, just like 3 apples plus 2 apples.
- Say the bottom number as a word, like "eighths," so it is clear it names the size of the pieces.
- Break fractions apart in different ways, like 5/8 = 2/8 + 3/8 = 1/8 + 4/8.
- Draw circles to change between mixed numbers and improper fractions before using the shortcut.
- For mixed numbers, add the wholes and the fractions. If the fraction part is 1 or more, trade it for a whole.
Common mistakes
- Adding the bottom numbers too, like 3/8 + 2/8 = 5/16.
- Forgetting to trade when the fraction part is more than 1, like writing 3 5/4.
- Subtracting the smaller top number from the bigger one when regrouping is needed in mixed numbers.
- Mixing up the whole number and the remainder when changing an improper fraction to a mixed number.