Year 6 - Maths
Use knowledge of fractions in their simplest form when solving addition and subtraction problems
Addition and subtraction of fractions
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will explain how to write a fraction in its simplest form when solving addition and subtraction problems.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use knowledge of fractions in their simplest form when solving addition and subtraction problems.
Key Notes
- You divide the numerator and denominator by the same factor to create the equivalent fraction.
- A fraction is in its simplest form when there is no common factor of the numerator and the denominator.
- Fractions greater than 1 can be simplified in the same way.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Common factor: When we compare lists of factors of two or more numbers, common factors are those shared by all the numbers.
- Simplify: To simplify a fraction is to identify the highest common factor shared by the numerator and denominator and to scale down both by that factor.
- Simplest form: A fraction is in its simplest form when the numerator and denominator cannot be any smaller, while still being whole numbers.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils think that any numerator and denominator can be divided by 2 even when the numerator or denominator is odd.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
You divide the numerator and denominator by the same factor to create the equivalent fraction. A fraction is in its simplest form when there is no common factor of the numerator and the denominator.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Common factor'
When we compare lists of factors of two or more numbers, common factors are those shared by all the numbers. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: Pupils think that any numerator and denominator can be divided by 2 even when the numerator or denominator is odd. Correction: Highlight to children that although it can sometimes be helpful to think of the magnitude of a fraction when the fraction is simplified with a decimal as the numerator or denominator, fractions can only be written with whole numbers.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Add and subtract non-related fractions with different denominators Study Guide
- Explain how to add related unit fractions with a representation or image Study Guide
- Explain how to add related unit fractions without a representation or image Study Guide
- Explain how to subtract related unit fractions Study Guide
- Explain how to write a fraction in its simplest form Study Guide
- Explain with and without an image how to add and subtract related non-unit fractions Study Guide
- Explain with and without images how to add and subtract related non-unit fractions bridging a whole Study Guide
- Reason about how to write a fraction in its simplest form Study Guide
- Use knowledge of adding and subtracting related unit fractions to solve problems Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 6 Maths guide library.