Unit 6

Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Unit 6 Overview:

This unit is time for students to master addition and subtraction with fractions in and out of context. Students need to have a deep understanding of equivalent fractions in order to solve problems mentally and visually. The line plot is a natural context to provide data to the nearest eighth for students to solve problems by adding and subtracting. Mastery of all operations comes in the next unit.

  1. Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators (including mixed numbers) by replacing given fractions with equivalent fractions in such a way as to produce an equivalent sum or difference of fractions with like denominators. For example, 2/3 + 5/4 = 8/12 + 15/12 = 23/12. (In general, a/b + c/d = (ad + bc)/bd). (5.NF.A.1)
  2. Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions referring to the same whole, including cases of unlike denominators, e.g. by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem. Use benchmark fractions and number sense of fractions to estimate mentally and assess the reasonableness of answers. For example, recognize an incorrect result 2/5 + 1/2 = 3/7, by observing that 3/7 < 1/2. (5.NF.A.2)
  3. Make a line plot to display a data set of measurements in fractions of a unit (1/2, 1/4, 1/8). Use operations on fractions for this grade to solve problems involving information presented in line plots. For example, given different measurements of liquid in identical beakers, find the amount of liquid each beaker would contain if the total amount in all the beakers were redistributed equally. (5.MD.B.2)
Grade 5 Unit 6 Family Resource

Math Words

These are vocabulary words that students will be exposed to throughout the unit.

area model common denominator

equivalent fractions line plot

mixed number redistribution of data

rename