Are you struggling with teaching your students how to add and subtract mixed numbers? If they are comfortable and have shown mastery with adding and subtracting fractions, they should be able to find success with mixed numbers as well.
Neatness and organization are important in math in order to reduce calculation errors. I find that using a template to help students organize their work can be helpful. To get a free download of the templates in the video shown below, click here.
If you could use some guidance with introducing and reinforcing this skill, especially when adding and subtracting mixed numbers with unlike denominators, try implementing some of the tips below.
Teaching Tips
- Introduce this skill with adding and subtracting mixed numbers with like denominators
- Have students show their work clearly and neatly
- line up the mixed numbers vertically
- require students to rewrite the problem (vertically) with equivalent fractions beside the original problem
- Simplify answers
- convert improper fractions to mixed numbers (adding the whole numbers together)
- reduce fractions that aren’t in simplest form
- Teach students the detailed steps
- When subtracting with renaming, require students to show how they add the whole that they borrowed from the whole number to the existing fraction. (See demo video below)
Common Misconceptions
- When the fractions of the mixed numbers have unlike denominators, students often add the denominators together
- When subtracting with renaming, students often add 10 to the numerator of the fraction after borrowing from the whole number
- They do this because they’re used to subtracting with whole numbers, where they borrow a ten from the tens place. It’s important to have them add the whole number fraction to the existing fraction to see that one whole depends on the fraction used in the problem.
Need Help?
I have a complete resource that contains 5 mini-lessons:
- adding mixed numbers with like denominators
- subtracting mixed numbers with like denominators
- adding mixed numbers with unlike denominators
- subtracting mixed numbers with unlike denominators (without renaming)
- subtracting mixed numbers with unlike denominators (without renaming)
The resource contains:
- detailed notes
- practice
- exit tickets
- task cards
- quiz
Digital
If you’re teaching virtually or using technology in the classroom, you can use a digital version to instruct your students. Tutorial videos are included to take your students step-by-step through sample problems and show them how to interact with the slides templates.
Looking for More Information and Resources for Fractions?
Blog Posts
- Adding and Subtracting Fractions
- Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers
- Multiplying Fractions
- Dividing Fractions
- Equivalent Fractions
- Introducing Fractions
- Simplifying Fractions
- Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers
