Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers With Unlike Denominators Worksheets for 5th Grade

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Grade 5MathFractionsCCSS 5.NF.A.1

Skill: Adding and subtracting mixed numbers with different denominators

Preview of the Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers With Unlike Denominators printable worksheet
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Teaching tips and what to try next

Fifth graders should be able to add fractions with unlike denominators and convert between mixed numbers and improper fractions before this. Some students prefer to turn both mixed numbers into improper fractions first; either way is fine as long as the final answer is simplified. Review Adding Fractions With Unlike Denominators and Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers, or multiply next in Multiplying Mixed Numbers.

10 versions, each with its own answer key

Same skill and layout, a fresh set of problems in every version, so children can keep practicing without repeating a page. Problems are not repeated between versions unless a skill has only a small number of possible problems (for example, the addition facts within 10).

Download all 10 versions (one PDF)All 10 answer keys (PDF)

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About this worksheet

Fifth graders add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators by rewriting them with a common denominator. Mixed numbers add one more layer, because the whole numbers and the fractions must be combined, and sometimes regrouped. This fifth-grade worksheet gives twelve problems: six sums and six differences.

Every problem uses two mixed numbers whose fractions have different denominators, such as 3 1/4 + 2 5/6 or 5 1/3 – 2 1/2. All fractions start in simplest form, and the common denominator is never more than 24, so the focus stays on the method instead of large numbers. Three of the sums have fractions that add up to more than one whole, so children carry into the whole number. Three of the differences need regrouping, because the first fraction is smaller than the second. Every answer is positive and written in simplest form. The ten versions have new problems on every page.

How to use it: have your child write the problem again in a column, with the whole numbers in one column and the fractions in another. Find the least common denominator, rewrite both fractions, then add or subtract the fractions first and the whole numbers second. When the top fraction is too small to subtract, trade one whole for a fraction equal to one, such as 6/6. A quick estimate with the whole numbers helps catch mistakes.

The answer key shows every answer in simplest form. To review, try our Adding Fractions With Unlike Denominators worksheet and our Subtracting Fractions With Unlike Denominators worksheet. For like denominators, try our Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers worksheet.