Add and Subtract Fractions With Unlike Denominators 7 +

A D D & S U B T R AC T F R AC T I O N S
Learning Goal
Students will understand the need for like units (common denominators) when
adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.
Activity Overview
In this activity, students will answer the questions on the pattern block fraction task
cards by working with their own set of pattern blocks. They will then be expected
to transfer their work onto their student response sheet using pictures and number
sentences to show finding common denominators.
Required Materials
• Pattern Blocks
• Task Cards
• Student Response Sheet
Before for the Activity

• Talk to students about how when they add or subtract whole numbers,
they have to use like units. If they were to add 5 dimes and 8 nickels, the
only way they could communicate the value of those coins would be to
change them to the same unit. Fractions are no different!
• You may want to review using pattern blocks to represent fractions if this is
new for students. Discuss as a class what the fractional value of each piece
is. The hexagon will always represent one whole for the first part of the
activity and two hexagons will represent one whole for the last part of the
activity.
© COPYRIGHT MIX AND MATH

Adding & Subtracting Fractions
Use pattern bl ocks to answer each of the questions bel ow.
#1 #2 #3
If one hexagon is one If one hexagon is one If one hexagon is one
whole, what is the whole, what is the whole, what is the
val ue of one rhombus val ue of one rhombus val ue of two rhombi
and two triangles? and one trapezoid? and four triangles?
#4 #5 #6
If one hexagon is one You have one trapezoid. You have one trapezoid.
whole, what is the If you take away one If you take away one
val ue of one rhombus, triangle, what is the rhombus, what is the
one trapezoid, three val ue of the piece(s) val ue of the piece(s)
triangles? you have left? you have left?
#7 #8 #9
If two hexagons If two hexagons If two hexagons
represent one whole, represent one whole, represent one whole,
what is the val ue of what is the val ue of what is the val ue of
one rhombus and seven one rhombus and one two rhombi, one
triangles? trapezoid? trapezoid, and four
triangles?

Name:________________________

Show your thinking for each card below using drawings AND number sentences.
#1 #2 #3
#4 #5 #6
#7 #8 #9

Name:________________________

Show your thinking for each card below using drawings AND number sentences.
#1 #2 #3
1/3 + 2/6 = 1/3 + 1/2 = 2/3 + 4/6 =

2/6 + 2/6 = 2/6 + 3/6 = 4/6 + 4/6 =
4/6 5/6 8/6
#4 #5 #6
1/3 + 1/2 + 3/6 = 1/2 – 1/6 = 1/2 – 1/3 =

2/6 + 3/6 + 3/6 = 3/6 – 1/6 = 3/6 – 2/6 =
8/6 2/6 1/6
#7 #8 #9
1/6 + 7/12 = 1/6 + 1/4 = 2/6 + 1/4 + 4/12 =

2/12 + 7/12 = 2/12 + 3/12 = 4/12 + 3/12 + 4/12 =
9/12 5/12 11/12

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A D D & S U B T R AC T F R AC T I O N S

Before for the Activity

© COPYRIGHT MIX AND MATH

© COPYRIGHT MIX AND MATH

Adding & Subtracting Fractions

© COPYRIGHT MIX AND MATH

Adding & Subtracting Fractions

1/3 + 2/6 = 1/3 + 1/2 = 2/3 + 4/6 =

4/6 5/6 8/6

1/3 + 1/2 + 3/6 = 1/2 – 1/6 = 1/2 – 1/3 =

8/6 2/6 1/6

1/6 + 7/12 = 1/6 + 1/4 = 2/6 + 1/4 + 4/12 =

9/12 5/12 11/12

© COPYRIGHT MIX AND MATH

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