Word problems adding and subtracting fractions · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Solving fraction word problems

Mathematics · Fractions · ages 9-10
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Two ropes measure 2/5 metre and 1/5 metre. Which equation gives their total length?

    • 2/5 + 1/5
    • 2/5 - 1/5
    • 1/5 - 2/5

  2. A juice jug has 3/4 litre. Priya pours out 1/4 litre. Which equation shows how much juice is left?

    • 3/4 - 1/4
    • 3/4 + 1/4
    • 1/4 - 3/4

  3. The word 'left' in a word problem usually means you should add.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. A board measures 2 3/6 metres. Elle saws off 1 1/6 metres. Which equation shows the length that remains?

    • 2 3/6 - 1 1/6
    • 2 3/6 + 1 1/6
    • 1 1/6 - 2 3/6

  5. A rope is 5/6 metre long. Zara cuts off 3/6 metre. How many sixths of rope are left? Type the number of sixths.

    Answer: ______________

  6. Two wires measure 1 5/9 metres and 2 4/9 metres. Omar joins them end to end. How many metres long is the joined wire? Type the number.

    Answer: ______________

  7. This fraction model shows 6/8 shaded. Which word problem matches it?

    • A ribbon is 7/8 m long. 1/8 m is cut off. How much ribbon is left?
    • A ribbon is 5/8 m long. 2/8 m is added. What is the total length?
    • A ribbon is 6/8 m long. 6/8 m is cut off. How much is left?

  8. Kavi read this problem: 'A jug has 7/8 litre. He pours out 3/8 litre.' Kavi wrote 7/8 + 3/8 = 10/8. What mistake did Kavi make?

    • He should have subtracted, not added, since juice was poured out
    • He added the two denominators together
    • He should have poured out more juice
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Solving fraction word problems W1-mt_ZLqYE7la4Z-s1

  1. 2/5 + 1/5 · Total length means the two ropes are joined together, so you add.
  2. 3/4 - 1/4 · The juice is poured out, so you subtract: 3/4 - 1/4.
  3. False · 'Left' means something was taken away, so the story is telling you to subtract.
  4. 2 3/6 - 1 1/6 · Sawn off means take away, so subtract: 2 3/6 - 1 1/6.
  5. 2 · 5/6 - 3/6 = 2/6, so 2 sixths of rope are left.
  6. 4 · Add the whole numbers, 1 + 2 = 3. Add the fraction parts, 5/9 + 4/9 = 9/9, which is 1 whole. So 3 + 1 = 4 metres.
  7. A ribbon is 7/8 m long. 1/8 m is cut off. How much ribbon is left? · 7/8 - 1/8 = 6/8, matching the model. The other stories give a different amount of ribbon.
  8. He should have subtracted, not added, since juice was poured out · Poured out means take away. The equation should be 7/8 - 3/8 = 4/8.
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