These worksheets teach your students how to add fractions by converting denominators into like terms.

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A quick and easy way to declare a common denominator is multiply the denominators together. I always start with this and then see if I can reduce that value to find an easier value to work with. You will be giving a bunch of addition sentences to complete after you make that initial denominator match. At that point, all you need to do is find the sum of the numerators. When it comes to fractions this is the basic step towards working with more complex fractional operations (such as multiplication and division).

What are unlike fractions, and how do you find their sum? Mathematic number systems are mainly divided into two portions, including whole numbers and fractions. Whole numbers are those that do not contain decimal numbers or fractions. Fractions, on the other hand, represent the part of the whole number. While 0 and 1 are whole numbers, the numbers between 0 and 1, including 0.1, 0.2,0.003, are decimal numbers that can be written as a fraction. Now, you may come across two types of fractions; those with the same denominators, that we know as like-fractions, and those with different denominators, that we know as unlike-fractions. While adding like-fractions is simple and straightforward, you have to bring the concept of LCM, Least Common Factor into consideration when summing two unlike-fractions. You have to make the denominators the same if you want to sum these fractions. Consider an example where you have to add two fractions; ½ + ⅖ To solve this, you need to look for the least common factor for the denominators, and in this case, it is 10. Now what you have to do is that multiply both the numerator and denominator with a number that brings 10 in the denominator; (1 × 5) / (2 × 5)= 5/ 10      (2 × 2) / (5 × 2) = 4/10 Now that we have the same denominators and have converted the unlike-fractions into like fractions, we can take 1/10 common and add 5 and 4. 1/10 (5 + 4) = 1/10 (9) = 9/10 These worksheets explain how to add fractions with like and unlike denominators. A series of lessons and guided practice sheets can be worked on by themselves.



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Adding Unlike Fractions Lesson

This worksheet gives step-by-step instructions on how to add unlike fractions. A sample problem is solved using visual representation.

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Step by Step

The step-by-step solution to a sample problem is presented and two practice problems are provided.

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Practice Worksheet

To add unlike fractions, we convert them to like fractions first and then add. To do the conversion, find a common denominator.

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Practice 2

We call this a common denominator because all of the converted fractions that we add together will have this same denominator in common.

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Practicing Your Skills

Students will more gain experience with this skill. Eight problems are provided.

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Common Warm Up

This sheet is great to use when you are starting class as a reminder of the previous day.

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Adding Unlike Fractions Using Visual Representation Lesson

This worksheet gives step-by-step instructions on how to add unlike fractions using visual representations. A sample problem is solved using visual representation.

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Step by Step

The step-by-step solution to a sample problem that is presented and two practice problems are provided. In these you can follow the values visually.

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Visual Representation Worksheet

Students will solve sums with the help of images. They will complete the addition sentence.

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Visual Practice Worksheet

Student's skill level is tested over a series of ten problems that are provided for them.

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More Image Based Skills

Students will gain experience adding unlike fractions using visual representations. Eight problems are provided.

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Warm Up

These three problems that are provided can come in handy for reviewing this skill with students.

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Adding Unlike Fractions Drill

A nice quick series of drill problems to get the kids thinking down the right path.

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Practice Sums of Unlike Fractions

We really hit this skill with a nice set of practice exercises.

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More Practice

Students will gain even more experience with this skill.

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Basic Lesson

This worksheet gives you a solid set of step-by-step instructions for how to find the sum of like fractions. A sample problem is solved for you.

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Review and Practice With Unlikes

This worksheet explains that the overall goal is making the denominators same. From there you only need to add the numerators.

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Adding Like and Unlike Fractions Worksheet

Students will add both like and unlike fractions. Ten problems are provided.

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Like and Unlike - Practice

It is nice to know when you need to change up the fractions and when you do not.

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Practicing Skills (Like/Unlike)

Students will gain experience adding like and unlike fractions. Eight problems are provided.

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Sums of Like and Unlike Fractions - Warm Up

This will get you started in the right direction we feel.

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Fraction Action Puzzle

Students will complete the fraction puzzles. Six puzzles are provided. Follow the number maze making only straight lines to the right and down so that the sum of the fractions equals the answer to the puzzle.

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Solve the Puzzles

Start in the upper left corner, end at the Answer square.

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