IXL | Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators: word problems

Planet X is 1/2 of a light-year away from Earth. Planet Y is 1/6 of a light-year away from Earth. How much farther away is Planet X?

Write your answer as a fraction or as a whole or mixed number.

light-years

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Learn with an example

question

In one week, Rita's family drank 1/4 of a carton of regular milk and 5/8 of a carton of soy milk. How much milk did they drink in all?

Write your answer as a fraction or as a whole or mixed number.

cartons

solution

Find the total amount of milk drunk by adding 1/4 and 5/8.

You can use 8 as the common denominator.

Multiply the numerator and the denominator of

by 2 to find an equivalent fraction.

1 × 2

4 × 2

Now add the fractions. Add the numerators and keep the denominators the same.

Rita's family drank 7/8 of a carton of milk in all.

Looking for more? Try these:

Lesson: Adding fractions with unlike denominators

Lesson: Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators

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Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

L.6Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators

T.4Add and subtract fractions with like denominators: word problems

Lesson: Adding fractions with unlike denominators

Lesson: Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators

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