Lesson 1: Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Elicit
A. Find the sum of the fractions and mixed numbers.
1 1
5 2
+
1.
2. 2 +
3.
3 2
6 3
B. Find the difference of the two fractions or mixed numbers.
5 1
1 7
5
3

1.
2. 1
3. 3 1
6 3
4 8
12
4

3
7 1
1 +2 +
4
12 3

Reflect: How do we add or subtract fractions or mixed numbers?

Engage
Antonia mixed 3

1
4

cups of flour and 1

7
8

cups of water for her recipe.

1
cups of the mixture spilled while she was stirring it. How many cups of the
2
mixture remained?
Unfortunately,

Pause & Reflect: What do you know about addition and subtraction of fractions and
mixed numbers?

Explore
Exploration 1: Addition and Subtraction of Fractions without Regrouping
1 5 1
1. Find 1 + .
4 8 2
2. Change the fractions and mixed fractions to similar fractions using the least common
denominator.
1 1 1
2
4 1
3 +1
3 +1
4 2 8
8
8 8
3. Add and subtract the fractions.
2
4 1
5
3 +1
Do the operations from left to right. First, add 3
8
8 8
8

and 1

4
.
8

7
4
8
Then, subtract
.
1
8

7 4
1
8 8
1

3
8

Express the answer in lowest form if necessary.

4. Is 1

3
8

already in lowest form?

Exploration 2: Addition and Subtraction of Fractions with Regrouping

1 3 11
1. What is 3 +
?
6 4 12
2. Change the fractions and mixed fractions to similar fractions using the least common
denominator.
1 3 11
3 +
6 4 12
3. Add and subtract the fractions.
2
9 11
2
3 +
Firstly, regroup 3
12 12 12
12
14 9 11
2 +
12 12 12
2

5 11
+
12 12

16
12

2+1

4
12

2
9 11
+
12 12 12

as 2

12 2
14
+ 2
.
12 12
12

14
9
12
Do the operations from left to right. Subtract
.
2
12
5
11
12
Add
.
2
12
16
Change
to a mixed number.
12
4
Add the whole numbers and express
to lowest form.
12

1
3
Do you have a shorter way to add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers?
3

Explain
Go back to the questions in ENGAGE. In groups of five, explain on how
you will answer them. Below are the ideas you should have learned in this lesson.
1. In adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers without/with regrouping:
a. Change the fractions and mixed numbers to similar fractions.
b. Regroup the mixed numbers or fractions if needed
9

c. Add or subtract the fractions depending on the first operation to appear from left
to right.
d. Express the final answer to lowest form.

Elaborate
Do you know how to bake biko or rice cake? The table below shows the amount of
ingredients that you can use to make a delicious one. Use the given information to answer
the questions below.
Ingredients
glutinous
water
brown
coconut
salt
rice
sugar
milk
2
5
1
1
1
Number of cups
3
4
8
3
8
2
4
12
1. How many cups is the mixture of coconut milk and water?
2. How much more is brown sugar than salt?
3. By how much is the coconut milk greater than the mixture of water and brown sugar?

Evaluate
A. Add and subtract the fractions and mixed numbers. Express the answers in lowest form.
5 1
7
3
1
1 8
1. 2 +
2. 5 2
3. 9 4 + 2
6 2
12
4
3
6 9
B. Find the missing term in each mathematical sentence.
1
2
4
7
3
3
5
9

4. 4 3
5. +2 1 =3
6.
12
4
8
16
16
3 1
3 +
8 2
C. Explain whether each statement is either true or false.
7. Add or Subtract fractions when they are already similar.
8. Change the fractions and mixed numbers to dissimilar fractions.
9. Add the fractions all the time before subtraction.
10. Reduce the sum or difference in lowest form
D. How do you add and/or subtract fractions? Use fraction bars to illustrate your
explanation.
3
E. Create a mathematical sentence with an answer of 2
. The number sentence should
4
have at least 3 dissimilar fractions and mixed numbers. It should also use both addition
and subtraction as its operation.

Pause & Reflect

10

Are you happy with the result of your evaluation? Why?

What concepts are clear to you?
What concepts are still not clear to you?
What is the most desirable value or attitude that you have developed in this lesson?

Extend
Example:
1 2
I.
Use the digits 1, 2, 6 and 9 once to form two fractions.
+ =N
6 9
3 4
7
a. What is the least sum that you can have?
+ =
18 18 18
b. What is the largest difference that you can have?
7
Hint: List all the possible fractions that can be formed
can be a sum of the
and get their sums or differences.
18
fractions.
II.
A friend shows you his solutions to a math problem. Study his solutions in the box.
Is he correct or not? Why? What will you tell him to correct his solution?
3
1
5
5 1 +2
4
3
12
9
4
5
5 1 +2
12
12 12
9
9
5 3
12
12

11