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Math 6 · Mathematics
Numbers · Fractions

Operations with Fractions

At a pizza party, Marcus eats $\frac{3}{8}$ of a pizza and Sara eats $\frac{2}{8}$ of the same pizza. How much have they eaten together? And what if the slices were not the same size? In this lesson you will add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions without getting tangled up.

Adding and Subtracting with Like Denominators

Bar models showing three eighths plus two eighths equals five eighths, using bars cut into eight equal parts. 3/8 2/8 5/8 3/8 + 2/8 = 5/8

Look at the bars. Every piece is an eighth, so you can just count pieces: 3 pieces plus 2 pieces is 5 pieces. Marcus and Sara ate $\frac{5}{8}$ of the pizza.

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At a snack with friends, several pizzas of the same size have been bought, all cut into 8 equal slices. Marcus has eaten $\frac{3}{8}$ of a pizza. Sara has eaten…

At a snack with friends, several pizzas of the same size have been bought, all cut into 8 equal slices.

  • Marcus has eaten $\frac{3}{8}$ of a pizza.

  • Sara has eaten $\frac{2}{8}$ of a pizza.

Calculate what fraction of pizza they have eaten between the two of them and how many slices are left if only one pizza had been opened.

Marcus 3/8 Sara 2/8 Left
Solve
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Calculate the following additions and subtractions of fractions with the same denominator, simplifying the result where possible: a) $\frac{5}{12} + \frac{1}{12}$ b)…

Calculate the following additions and subtractions of fractions with the same denominator, simplifying the result where possible:

  1. a) $\frac{5}{12} + \frac{1}{12}$
  1. b) $\frac{11}{15} - \frac{4}{15}$
  1. c) $\frac{7}{9} + \frac{2}{9} - \frac{4}{9}$
Solve

Adding and Subtracting with Unlike Denominators

What if Marcus ate $\frac{1}{4}$ of a pizza and Sara ate $\frac{1}{3}$ of one? Fourths and thirds are different sizes, so you cannot count them together yet. First cut both into the same size pieces.

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A young influencer spends her afternoon organizing her videos. She spends $\frac{1}{4}$ of the time recording, $\frac{1}{3}$ editing and the rest of the time answering…

A young influencer spends her afternoon organizing her videos. She spends $\frac{1}{4}$ of the time recording, $\frac{1}{3}$ editing and the rest of the time answering comments. Calculate what fraction of the total time she spends recording and editing (remember to find a common denominator).

Recording (¹/₄ = ³/₁₂) Editing (¹/₃ = ⁴/₁₂) Rest (⁵/₁₂) ³/₁₂ + ⁴/₁₂ = ?
Solve
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A tablet battery indicates that it has $\frac{7}{10}$ of its charge left. If after watching some videos it has consumed $\frac{2}{5}$ of the total charge, what fraction…

A tablet battery indicates that it has $\frac{7}{10}$ of its charge left. If after watching some videos it has consumed $\frac{2}{5}$ of the total charge, what fraction of the battery is still left? (Hint: convert $\frac{2}{5}$ into a fraction with a denominator of $10$).

Solve
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To prepare a tropical drink, a group of friends mixes $\frac{3}{4}$ of a liter of pineapple juice, $\frac{1}{3}$ of a liter of orange juice and $\frac{5}{6}$ of a liter…

To prepare a tropical drink, a group of friends mixes $\frac{3}{4}$ of a liter of pineapple juice, $\frac{1}{3}$ of a liter of orange juice and $\frac{5}{6}$ of a liter of sparkling water. If after mixing everything, they drink $\frac{2}{5}$ of a liter before putting it in the fridge, what amount of drink is left in total? Express the simplified result in liters.

0.0L 0.5L 1.0L 1.5L 2.0L 3/4 L Pineapple juice 1/3 L Orange juice 5/6 L Sparkling water - 2/5 L Drunk ? L Total remaining
Solve

Multiplying Fractions and Finding a Fraction of a Quantity

An area model shows why multiplying fractions works. Take $\frac{2}{3}$ of $\frac{3}{4}$. Cut a rectangle into $4$ columns and $3$ rows. That makes $12$ equal cells.

Area model for two thirds times three fourths: the overlap covers 6 of 12 cells, which is one half. 3/4 of the width 2/3 of the height 2/3 × 3/4 = 6/12 = 1/2

The green overlap is $3$ columns by $2$ rows, so $6$ cells out of $12$. In numbers, the numerators multiply ($2\times 3=6$) and the denominators multiply ($3\times 4=12$).

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For an Art project, a group of students has a box with $60$ markers. If they have used $\frac{2}{5}$ of the markers to make a mural, how many markers have they used in…

For an Art project, a group of students has a box with $60$ markers. If they have used $\frac{2}{5}$ of the markers to make a mural, how many markers have they used in total?

Solve
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Perform the following multiplications of fractions and simplify the results to their irreducible fraction: a) $\frac{2}{3} \cdot \frac{5}{7}$ b)…

Perform the following multiplications of fractions and simplify the results to their irreducible fraction:

  1. a) $\frac{2}{3} \cdot \frac{5}{7}$
  1. b) $\frac{3}{4} \cdot \frac{2}{5}$
  1. c) $5 \cdot \frac{3}{10}$
Solve
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In a chemistry laboratory, a container $A$ contains $\frac{3}{4}$ of a liter of alcohol, and a container $B$ contains $\frac{2}{3}$ of a liter of water. Half of the…

In a chemistry laboratory, a container $A$ contains $\frac{3}{4}$ of a liter of alcohol, and a container $B$ contains $\frac{2}{3}$ of a liter of water. Half of the contents of container $A$ is transferred to container $B$. What fraction of a liter of mixture is there now in container $B$? If $\frac{1}{5}$ of the total mixture of $B$ is then spilled, how many liters are left in that container?

Container A Alcohol 3/4 L 3/8 L Container B Water + Alcohol 2/3 L Mixture level 1/2 of A (transfer) Spills 1/5 of the mixture
Solve

Dividing Fractions

Dividing asks "how many fit?" How many $\frac{1}{3}$-cup scoops fit in $2$ cups of flour?

Two cups each cut into three thirds, showing that 2 divided by one third equals 6 scoops. 1 cup 1 cup 2 ÷ 1/3 = 6 scoops

Each cup holds $3$ scoops, so $2$ cups hold $2\cdot 3=6$ scoops. Dividing by $\frac{1}{3}$ gave the same result as multiplying by $3$.

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In a café kitchen, they want to distribute $3$ liters of orange juice into glasses of $\frac{1}{4}$ of a liter each. How many glasses will they be able to fill…

In a café kitchen, they want to distribute $3$ liters of orange juice into glasses of $\frac{1}{4}$ of a liter each. How many glasses will they be able to fill completely? Illustrate your reasoning by dividing each liter into parts.

3 L ¼ L 1 2 3 4 1 L 5 6 7 8 1 L 9 10 11 12 1 L
Solve
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Solve these divisions using cross-multiplication: a) $\frac{4}{5} : \frac{2}{3}$ b) $\frac{1}{6} : \frac{1}{2}$ c) $\frac{3}{7} : 3$

Solve these divisions using cross-multiplication:

  1. a) $\frac{4}{5} : \frac{2}{3}$
  1. b) $\frac{1}{6} : \frac{1}{2}$
  1. c) $\frac{3}{7} : 3$
Solve
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In the technology workshop, wooden battens are being cut. We have a batten $\frac{15}{2}$ feet long and we want to divide it into equal pieces measuring $\frac{3}{4}$ of…

In the technology workshop, wooden battens are being cut. We have a batten $\frac{15}{2}$ feet long and we want to divide it into equal pieces measuring $\frac{3}{4}$ of a foot each. How many complete pieces will we get? Will there be any wood left over?

Solve

Order of Operations with Fractions

Fraction expressions follow the same order of operations as whole numbers: grouping symbols first, then multiply and divide from left to right, then add and subtract from left to right. (Some people remember this as PEMDAS.)

Order of operations: first parentheses and brackets, then multiply and divide left to right, then add and subtract left to right. 1. Parentheses / brackets 2. Multiply and divide 3. Add and subtract

Fractions can be negative too. The sign rules are the same as for integers.

When you see brackets inside parentheses (or the other way around), work from the inside out.

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Calculate the result of the following combined operation, respecting the order of operations and simplifying the final result to obtain the irreducible fraction:…

Calculate the result of the following combined operation, respecting the order of operations and simplifying the final result to obtain the irreducible fraction:

$$\frac{2}{3} \cdot \left( \frac{5}{2} - \frac{3}{4} \right) + \frac{7}{6} : 2$$
Solve
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A drone takes off from the ground and ascends to a height of $12$ feet. Then, due to a gust of wind, it descends $\frac{14}{3}$ of a foot. If it then climbs back up a…

A drone takes off from the ground and ascends to a height of $12$ feet. Then, due to a gust of wind, it descends $\frac{14}{3}$ of a foot. If it then climbs back up a height equal to $\frac{2}{5}$ of the position it was in after the descent, at what height above the ground is the drone finally?

Height (ft) Phases Ground 0 12 h₁ h₂ +12 ft - 14 3 ft + 2 5 · h₁ Final height?
Solve
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Calculate the result of the following combined operation, simplifying the result until you obtain the irreducible fraction: $$\frac{3}{4} - \left[ \frac{1}{2} +…

Calculate the result of the following combined operation, simplifying the result until you obtain the irreducible fraction:

$$\frac{3}{4} - \left[ \frac{1}{2} + \frac{2}{5} \cdot \left( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{3}{2} \right) \right] : \left( - \frac{1}{5} \right)$$
Solve

Powers and Square Roots of Fractions

Exponents and roots work on the numerator and the denominator separately. Look at the square below: its area is $\frac{9}{16}$, and its side is $\frac{3}{4}$.

A square cut into a 4 by 4 grid with a 3 by 3 block shaded: area 9/16, side 3/4. (3/4)² = 9/16 √(9/16) = 3/4 shaded: 9 of 16 cells
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Apply the properties of powers and roots to simplify the following numerical expression: $$\sqrt{\frac{64}{25}} \cdot \left( \frac{5}{4} \right)^2 - \frac{1}{2}$$

Apply the properties of powers and roots to simplify the following numerical expression:

$$\sqrt{\frac{64}{25}} \cdot \left( \frac{5}{4} \right)^2 - \frac{1}{2}$$
Solve
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Find the value of the following expression with powers and roots of rational numbers. Remember to apply the order of operations and simplify fully: $$\left( \frac{2}{3}…

Find the value of the following expression with powers and roots of rational numbers. Remember to apply the order of operations and simplify fully:

$$\left( \frac{2}{3} \right)^2 \cdot \sqrt{\frac{81}{16}} - \left( \frac{1}{2} - \frac{3}{4} \right)^3 : \frac{1}{8}$$
Solve

Finding an Unknown in a Fraction Equation

To find an unknown $x$, undo the operations around it. Do the same thing to both sides, just like keeping a balance level. Use the inverse operations: add ↔ subtract, multiply ↔ divide.

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Find the value of the unknown $x$ in the following equality of operations with fractions: $$\frac{x}{12} + \frac{5}{6} \cdot \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{4}$$

Find the value of the unknown $x$ in the following equality of operations with fractions:

$$\frac{x}{12} + \frac{5}{6} \cdot \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{4}$$
Solve
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Calculate the value of the unknown $x$ in the following equality of operations with fractions: $$\frac{2}{3} \cdot \left( x + \frac{1}{2} \right) = \frac{5}{6} +…

Calculate the value of the unknown $x$ in the following equality of operations with fractions:

$$\frac{2}{3} \cdot \left( x + \frac{1}{2} \right) = \frac{5}{6} + \frac{1}{4}$$
Solve

Word Problems: A Fraction of What's Left

Many problems say "a fraction of what is left," not of the whole. You have to work one step at a time.

Bar model: Emma eats one fourth of a pizza, Jayden eats one third of the remaining three fourths, and one half of the pizza is left. whole = 1 Emma 1/4 Jayden 1/3 of the rest 1/2 left rest = 3/4
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A streaming platform divides its series catalogue into three parts: $\frac{2}{5}$ are action, $\frac{1}{3}$ are comedy and the rest are documentaries. If a user has…

A streaming platform divides its series catalogue into three parts: $\frac{2}{5}$ are action, $\frac{1}{3}$ are comedy and the rest are documentaries. If a user has already watched $\frac{3}{4}$ of all the available action series, what fraction of the total catalogue do the action series they have not yet watched represent?

Solve
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A cyclist rides a $120$ mile stage in three sections. In the first hour, he covers $\frac{2}{5}$ of the route. In the second hour, due to fatigue, his speed decreases…

A cyclist rides a $120$ mile stage in three sections. In the first hour, he covers $\frac{2}{5}$ of the route. In the second hour, due to fatigue, his speed decreases and he only covers $\frac{1}{3}$ of the remaining distance. How many miles does he have left to cover in the third hour? What fraction of the total does this last section represent?

Solve
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Three friends, Alba, Bruno and Carla, buy a giant pizza for dinner. Alba eats $\frac{1}{4}$ of the pizza. Bruno eats $\frac{1}{3}$ of what is left*. Carla eats…

Three friends, Alba, Bruno and Carla, buy a giant pizza for dinner. Alba eats $\frac{1}{4}$ of the pizza. Bruno eats $\frac{1}{3}$ of what is left. Carla eats $\frac{2}{5}$ of what Alba and Bruno have left together.

  1. What fraction of the pizza is left over?

  2. If the pizza weighed $1,2$ kg, how many grams has each person eaten?

1/4 Alba 3/4 3/4 left 0 1 1/3 · 3/4 = 1/4 Bruno 2/3 · 3/4 = 1/2 1/2 left 2/5 · 1/2 = 1/5 Carla 3/5 · 1/2 = 3/10 Left over Final distribution (1.2 kg pizza = 1200 g): Total = 1200 g
Solve

Word Problems: Finding the Whole

Sometimes you know what a part is worth and you need the whole. The idea:

$$\text{part}=\text{fraction}\cdot\text{whole}\quad\Longrightarrow\quad\text{whole}=\text{part}\div\text{fraction}$$

First find the fraction that the known amount represents, then work backward.

A bar cut into 12 equal parts: 4 parts for tomatoes, 3 parts for beans, and 5 parts left open that equal 25 square yards. whole field = 12 parts tomatoes 1/3 beans 1/4 open 5/12 = 25 yd² 5 parts = 25 yd², so 1 part = 5 yd²
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A gardener has spent $\frac{2}{9}$ of his tool savings on buying a lawnmower and $\frac{3}{10}$ of the initial budget on pruning shears. If he still has $\$172…

A gardener has spent $\frac{2}{9}$ of his tool savings on buying a lawnmower and $\frac{3}{10}$ of the initial budget on pruning shears. If he still has $\$172$ left in his budget, how much money did he have at the beginning?

(Hint: First calculate what fraction of the total he has spent by adding both amounts).

Initial budget = ? 2/9 3/10 $172 Lawnmower Shears Rest Total fraction spent
Solve
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A young video game streamer is analyzing the origin of his subscribers. He knows that $\frac{2}{5}$ of the total live in the United States. Of the rest of his…

A young video game streamer is analyzing the origin of his subscribers. He knows that $\frac{2}{5}$ of the total live in the United States. Of the rest of his subscribers, $\frac{3}{8}$ live in Latin American countries. If there are still $1.500$ subscribers who live in the rest of the world, how many subscribers does the channel have in total?

Solve
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An architect is designing a sustainable house. The garden takes up $\frac{2}{7}$ of the total plot. The house takes up $\frac{3}{5}$ of the remaining area*. If the…

An architect is designing a sustainable house. The garden takes up $\frac{2}{7}$ of the total plot. The house takes up $\frac{3}{5}$ of the remaining area. If the garage and the swimming pool take up the final $120$ $m^2$, what is the total area of the plot?

Solve

Back to the start: Marcus and Sara ate $\frac{3}{8}+\frac{2}{8}=\frac{5}{8}$ of a pizza. If one of them had eaten $\frac{1}{4}$ of a pizza and the other $\frac{1}{3}$, you would first rewrite both in twelfths: $\frac{3}{12}+\frac{4}{12}=\frac{7}{12}$.

Summary

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