teaching resource

Adding and Subtracting Like Fractions - Word Problems

  • Updated

    Updated:  13 Oct 2022

Get in all 3 Rs (reading, writing, and arithmetic) with this word problem worksheet that lets students practice adding and subtracting like fractions.

  • Editable

    Editable:  Google Slides

  • Non-Editable

    Non-Editable:  PDF

  • Pages

    Pages:  3 Pages

  • Curriculum
  • Grades

    Grades:  4 - 5

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teaching resource

Adding and Subtracting Like Fractions - Word Problems

  • Updated

    Updated:  13 Oct 2022

Get in all 3 Rs (reading, writing, and arithmetic) with this word problem worksheet that lets students practice adding and subtracting like fractions.

  • Editable

    Editable:  Google Slides

  • Non-Editable

    Non-Editable:  PDF

  • Pages

    Pages:  3 Pages

  • Curriculum
  • Grades

    Grades:  4 - 5

Get in all 3 Rs (reading, writing, and arithmetic) with this word problem worksheet that lets students practice adding and subtracting like fractions.

For some, mathematics is an “acquired taste.”

Especially when it comes to understanding fractions. 😉

But we’ve found a way to get your students excited about adding and subtracting like fractions: by taking away the abstract and making fractions fun to imagine…

…with word problems!

How to Practice Adding and Subtracting Like Fractions with Your Students

In this worksheet, students will read through 5 word problems and work on adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators including some mixed fractions practice.

We’ve also included a space for students to write and solve their own word problem, creating another way to better understand addition and subtraction of fractions with the same denominator.

Students can use this resource as homework or an independent formative assessment in class.

Expand This Adding and Subtracting Like Fractions Worksheet with More Ways to Learn!

Get extra use out of this worksheet with these ideas for turning like fractions into loved lessons!

Warm-Up/Exit Activity

Before starting your math lesson, or just after it, pull one of the word problems from this worksheet and display it on the board. Students can use the word problem to practice applying what they’ve learned from your adding and subtracting like fractions lessons so far. Ask them to write the answer on a sticky note along with their names for an easy formative assessment.

Order Up! 

Encourage your students to think about fractions and their relationship to whole numbers. Ask students to pull all of the fractions out of the worksheet and put them in ascending order. To do this, you can team up students in small groups or pairs, and have them race to see who finishes first, or you can simply use this as a way to extend the exercise independently. (Bonus: Can the students add all the fractions together to find their total sum?)

Change the Difficulty Level if Needed

For students who need extra practice adding and subtracting like fractions, you might find it more practical to limit the number of questions so as not to overwhelm them.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Because this download includes the answer sheet, we recommend first printing one copy of the entire file. Then, make photocopies of the blank worksheets for students to fill out on their own.

Before You Download

Please note this resource is available in Google Slides or as a PDF. An answer key is also included with this download.


This resource was created by Heather Chambers, a teacher in Texas and a Teach Starter Collaborator.


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