ZestMath
Grade 3–5 · Ages 8–11

Adding & Subtracting Fractions

Master fraction addition and subtraction — starting with like denominators, then tackling unlike denominators with common denominator method.

Same Denominators (Easy)

When denominators match — just add or subtract the numerators. Keep the denominator the same.

⅖ + ⅕ = 3/5

2 + 1 = 3. Keep the 5 on the bottom.

¾ − ¼ = ½

3 − 1 = 2/4. Simplify: 2/4 = ½

Different Denominators (Harder)

When denominators differ, you must find a common denominator first — the lowest common multiple (LCM) of both denominators.

Step-by-step: ½ + ⅓

  1. LCM of 2 and 3 = 6
  2. Convert: ½ = 3/6 and ⅓ = 2/6
  3. Add: 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6
Key trick: Whatever you multiply the denominator by, you MUST also multiply the numerator by the same number.

Fractions Drill

20
Example: 7 ½ 4
account_balance

Curriculum Standards & Learning Objectives

This worksheet topic strictly aligns with global mathematics curricula. Review the detailed learning outcomes and standard identifiers for Adding and Subtracting Fractions.

US Common Core

4.NF.B.3

Understand addition and subtraction of fractions

CBSE (India)

Grade 4-5

Adding and subtracting fractions

UK National Curriculum

Year 5

Add and subtract fractions

IGCSE

Foundation

Fraction operations

Singapore Math

Primary 4-5

Fraction operations

Australian Curriculum

ACMNA102

Add and subtract fractions

IB PYP

Year 4-5

Fraction operations

Canadian Curriculum

Grade 5

Fraction operations

New Zealand

Level 3-4

Fraction operations

UAE

Grade 4-5

Fraction operations

Saudi Arabia

Grade 4-5

Fraction operations

ICSE (India)

Class 4-5

Fraction operations

State Boards (India)

Class 4-5

Fraction operations

NCERT (India)

Class 4-5

Adding and subtracting fractions

All other curricula (21-50)

Grade 4-6 equivalent

Fraction operations

Auto-mapped from ZestMath Universal Framework.View All Mappings →