Classroom · Fractions · 4th grade

Adding and subtracting fractions worksheets

A free five-page pack for 4th grade: learn to add and subtract fractions with the same denominator, with a worked example, practice pages, word problems and an answer key.

Download the adding and subtracting fractions pack(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Watch it solved

44 sec · with voice and captions

A pencil works one example of each activity, so you can see how the worksheet goes before you print it. Tap a step to jump to it. The rest of the sheet is left for your child to finish.

Read what the video says

0:00 Let's practice adding and subtracting fractions, step by step.
0:04 When the bottom numbers are the same, add the top numbers and keep the bottom. The pieces stay the same size.
0:12 What fraction is shaded? There are 10 equal parts, and 8 are shaded. That's 8/10.
0:18 Shade 1/6, then 4 more. Add the tops: 1 plus 4 is 5. The bottom stays 6, so the answer is 5/6.
0:28 Word problems. Ali ate 1/8 of a cake and Mia ate 3/8. How much did they eat together? The answer is 4/8.
0:37 Great job! Now print the free worksheet, and finish the rest on your own.

How to do it

When the bottom numbers are the same, add or subtract the top numbers and keep the bottom: 2/8 + 3/8 = 5/8. The pieces stay the same size.

Teaching tip

A common mistake is adding the bottoms too (2/8 + 3/8 = 5/16). Ask: did the pieces get smaller? No, so the bottom stays 8.

Try some

1/6 + 4/6Tap to check5/6
1/3 + 1/3Tap to check2/3
3/5 – 1/5Tap to check2/5
1/5 + 4/5Tap to check5/5
10/12 – 1/12Tap to check9/12
1/4 + 2/4Tap to check3/4

Word problems

Ali ate 1/8 of a cake and Mia ate 3/8. How much did they eat together?Show answer

4/8

Mia painted 6/8 of a fence. How much is left to paint?Show answer

2/8

Ali walked 3/5 of a mile in the morning and 1/5 in the afternoon. How far in all?Show answer

4/5 of a mile

There was 7/8 of a watermelon. The family ate 4/8. How much is left?Show answer

3/8

What the worksheets look like

Adding and subtracting fractions worksheet: how fractions work, then shapes to name — Page 1: how fractions work, then shapes to name

Fraction wall

Strips for one whole, halves, thirds and so on to twelfths, to compare and find equal fractions.

Template(1 page, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Common questions

How do you teach adding and subtracting fractions?

When the bottom numbers are the same, add or subtract the top numbers and keep the bottom: 2/8 + 3/8 = 5/8. The pieces stay the same size. A common mistake is adding the bottoms too (2/8 + 3/8 = 5/16). Ask: did the pieces get smaller? No, so the bottom stays 8.

What grade learns adding and subtracting fractions?

Usually 4th grade. In the Common Core it is part of 4.NF.B.3.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Page 5 has every answer from the pack and a short teaching tip.