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

Of the shirts in Nolan's dresser, 1/4 are striped, while another 1/2 are plaid. What fraction of the shirts are either striped or plaid?

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

of the shirts

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Learn with an example

question

Under very specific instructions, a jeweler made one ring for the queen and one ring for the princess. The gem on the queen's ring weighed 1/2 of a carat and the stone on the princess's ring weighed 3/10 of a carat. How much heavier was the stone on the queen's ring than the stone on the princess's?

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

carats

solution

Find how much heavier the stone on the queen's ring was by subtracting 3/10 from 1/2.

You can use 10 as the common denominator.

Multiply the numerator and the denominator of

by 5 to find an equivalent fraction.

1 × 5

2 × 5

Now subtract the fractions. Subtract the numerators and keep the denominators the same.

−

The weight of the stone on the queen's ring was 2/10 of a carat heavier than the stone on the princess's ring.

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:

K.3Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators

K.2Add and subtract fractions with like denominators: word problems

Lesson: Adding fractions with unlike denominators

Lesson: Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators

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