Image is a screenshot from the Cool Math 4 Kids site.

When adding or subtracting fractions the first thing you need to do is make sure that the denominators (bottom numbers) are the same. If all the denominators are the same you can simply add or subtract the numerators (top numbers) and then simplify the answer if required. If the denominators are different, you need to find a common multiple and convert both fractions, so that the denominators are the same. Activities 4 and 5 below show how this is done:

1. Adding Fractions from Cool Maths 4 Kids.

2. Three simple steps to adding fractions from “Maths is Fun”.

3. BBC Bitesize – fractions activities – Choose the fractions activities from BBC Bitesize (Equivalent fractions and ordering and comparing fractions).

4. Adding fractions with different denominators from “Maths Playground”.

5. Adding fractions with different denominators from YouTube – Maths Made Simple Series.