Grade 5 Fractions: Unit Review

Worked examples

Real problems from the practice worksheets, solved one step at a time.

1. Example 1

   3/6 − 1/3 = ?

   1. The denominators are different, so rename both fractions with a common denominator, 6.
   2. Multiply the top and bottom by 2: 1 × 2 = 2 and 3 × 2 = 6, so 1/3 = 2/6.
   3. Subtract the numerators and keep the denominator: 3 − 2 = 1, so the difference is 1/6.
   4. So 3/6 − 1/3 = 1/6.

   Answer: 1/6

2. Example 2

   6/8 + 4/6 = ?

   1. The denominators are different, so rename both fractions with a common denominator, 24.
   2. Multiply the top and bottom by 3: 6 × 3 = 18 and 8 × 3 = 24, so 6/8 = 18/24.
   3. Multiply the top and bottom by 4: 4 × 4 = 16 and 6 × 4 = 24, so 4/6 = 16/24.
   4. Add the numerators and keep the denominator: 18 + 16 = 34, so the sum is 34/24.
   5. The greatest number that divides both 34 and 24 is 2.
   6. Divide the top and bottom by 2: 34 ÷ 2 = 17 and 24 ÷ 2 = 12, so 34/24 = 17/12.
   7. So 6/8 + 4/6 = 17/12.

   Answer: 17/12

3. Example 3

   1/3 × 1/2 = ?

   1. Multiply the numerators: 1 × 1 = 1.
   2. Multiply the denominators: 3 × 2 = 6.
   3. So 1/3 × 1/2 = 1/6.

   Answer: 1/6