# Add/sub using symbols (incl mixed numbers) (2,3,4,5,6,8,10,12)

Lesson

## 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$2181, leaving your answer as a mixed number.

##### Question 2

Work out $7\frac{3}{4}-1\frac{1}{4}$734114, 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.

Remember!

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.