Add/sub using symbols (incl mixed numbers) (2,3,4,5,6,8,10,12)
Mixed numbers
Remember that mixed numbers are numbers made up of a mixture of whole numbers, and fractions. If we have $7$7 halves, we could write this as $\frac{7}{2}$72, an improper fraction. The other way we could write it is as a mixed number, $3$3 $\frac{1}{2}$12.
Adding and subtracting mixed numbers
To add and subtract mixed numbers, we can think of our number as having two parts: a whole part, and a fraction part. Let's see how this helps us when we are adding and subtracting.
Worked Examples
Question 1
Work out $2\frac{1}{8}-1$218−1, leaving your answer as a mixed number.
Question 2
Work out $7\frac{3}{4}-1\frac{1}{4}$734−114, leaving your answer as a mixed number.
Question 3
Work out $6\frac{1}{6}+\frac{5}{6}$616+56, leaving your answer as a whole number.
When we add and subtract mixed numbers, we can break them into their whole numbers and their fractions. We do have to be careful when we subtract a mixed number though. We have to be sure to subtract both the whole number and the fraction part.