Introduction to Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers

What you’ll learn to do: Add and subtract mixed numbers

A close-up of a presser foot and needle on a sewing machine with fabric underneath it

We usually measure fabric in fractions of a yard.

Thanksgiving is coming up, and Kelly is planning to sew a tablecloth for the occasion. She happened to find the perfect piece of fabric at an estate sale. It’s 3 1/4 yards long, but to make the tablecloth, she only needs 2 1/2 yards of fabric. How much fabric will she have left over? To figure this out, she’ll need to subtract mixed numbers. In this section, you’ll learn how to add and subtract mixed numbers with both common and different denominators.

Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.

readiness quiz

1)

Draw a figure to model [latex]\Large\frac{7}{6}[/latex]

If you missed this problem, review the example below.

Use fraction circles to make wholes using the following pieces:

  1. [latex]4[/latex] fourths
  2. [latex]5[/latex] fifths
  3. [latex]6[/latex] sixths

2)

If you missed this problem, review this video.

3)

If you missed this problem, review the following video.