IXL | Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators: word problems

Naomi made a fruit salad with 1/2 of a pound of melon and 1/4 of a pound of berries. How many pounds of fruit did Naomi use in all?

Write your answer as a fraction or as a whole or mixed number.

pounds

ref_doc_title.

Learn with an example

question

Savannah poured 3/4 of a gallon of water into a bucket. Later, she added 5/12 of a gallon more. How much water is in the bucket now?

Write your answer as a fraction or as a whole or mixed number.

gallons

solution

Find the amount of water in the bucket by adding 3/4 and 5/12.

You can use 12 as the common denominator.

Multiply the numerator and the denominator of

by 3 to find an equivalent fraction.

3 × 3

4 × 3

Now add the fractions. Add the numerators and keep the denominators the same.

Divide 14 by 12.

14 ÷ 12 = 1 R2

Now write the answer.

The amount of water in the bucket is 1 2/12 gallons.

Looking for more? Try these:

Lesson: Adding fractions with unlike denominators

Lesson: Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators

$Confetti$

Excellent!

Now entering the Challenge Zone—are you ready?

Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

K.3Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators

K.2Add and subtract fractions with like denominators: word problems

Lesson: Adding fractions with unlike denominators

Lesson: Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators

Excellent! You got that right!

Jumping to level 1 of 1

Excellent!