IXL | Add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers: word problems

Alice found two worms in the yard and measured them with a ruler. One worm was 11/12 of an inch long. The other worm was 1/2 of an inch long. How much longer was the longer worm?

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

inches

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Learn with an example

question

A farmer placed an order for 11 1/12 tons of fertilizer. He calculates that the corn fields will require 1 1/3 tons of it. How much fertilizer will the farmer have left for his other crops?

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

tons

solution

Find the amount of fertilizer left by subtracting 1 1/3 from 11 1/12.

The least common denominator of 12 and 3 is 12.

Write

with 12 as the denominator.

Now subtract. Subtract whole numbers from whole numbers and fractions from fractions.

–

You can't subtract yet, because the fraction part of

is larger than the fraction part of

Rewrite

so that you can subtract.

Now subtract. Remember to subtract whole numbers from whole numbers and fractions from fractions.

−

Now simplify.

Write the answer.

−

The farmer will have 9 3/4 tons of fertilizer left.

Looking for more? Try these:

Lesson: Adding mixed numbers

Lesson: Subtracting mixed numbers

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Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

M.3Add mixed numbers with unlike denominators

M.4Subtract mixed numbers with unlike denominators

L.7Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators: word problems

Lesson: Adding mixed numbers

Lesson: Subtracting mixed numbers

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