What this covers
Adding and Subtracting Fractions is taught in Year 6 (age 10 to 11, KS2) as a topic to introduce. It sits in the Fractions strand.
Worked example
Calculate 23 + 14.
- Find a common denominator: the lowest common multiple of 3 and 4 is 12.
- Convert each fraction: 23 = 812 and 14 = 312.
- Add the numerators: 812 + 312 = 1112.
Answer: 1112
Difficulty scale
The sheet generator offers five difficulty settings for this topic.
- Adding and subtracting fractions with identical denominators under 12
- Operations where one denominator is a multiple of the other
- Operations with unlike denominators requiring a common multiple up to 24
- Addition and subtraction resulting in improper fractions that must be simplified
- Adding and subtracting mixed numbers with regrouping
Common mistakes
- Adding both numerators and denominators together (e.g. 1/3 + 1/3 = 2/6)
- Subtracting the smaller whole number from the larger without regrouping fractional parts
Curriculum links
Indicative matches to National Curriculum for England. Check wording and codes against the official document.
- Add and subtract fractions with different denominators and mixed numbers, using the concept of equivalent fractions.