How to Add and Subtract Fractions: A Simple Guide for a 9-Year-Old Student (Stephanie Wilson)

Learn easy steps to add and subtract fractions with like denominators, using pictures and steps for a 9-year-old.

PDF

Understanding Fractions: Add and Subtract with the Same Denominator

Hi Stephanie! Today we’ll learn how to add and subtract fractions when they have the same bottom number, called the denominator.

Key idea

  • When fractions share the same denominator, you only add or subtract the top numbers (the numerators).
  • The denominator stays the same.
  • If the fractions are the same, you might just reuse the denominator and add or subtract the numerators.

Step-by-step: Adding Fractions with the Same Denominator

  1. Look at the fractions: you have a/d and b/d.
  2. Keep the denominator: d.
  3. Add the numerators: a + b.
  4. Write the answer as (a + b)/d.

Example: 1/4 + 2/4 = (1+2)/4 = 3/4.

Step-by-step: Subtracting Fractions with the Same Denominator

  1. Look at the fractions: a/d and b/d.
  2. Keep the denominator: d.
  3. Subtract the numerators: a − b.
  4. Write the answer as (a − b)/d.

Example: 3/5 − 1/5 = (3−1)/5 = 2/5.

Practice Problems

  1. 2/6 + 1/6 = ?
  2. 5/8 − 3/8 = ?
  3. 4/9 + 2/9 = ?

Answers: 3/6 (which can simplify to 1/2), 2/8 (which can simplify to 1/4), 6/9 (which can simplify to 2/3).

Helpful Tips

  • Always check if you can simplify the final fraction by dividing numerator and denominator by a common number.
  • If you need to add fractions with different denominators, you may need to find a common denominator first (not covered here yet).

Great job practicing, Stephanie! Keep working with the steps and you’ll become even better at adding and subtracting fractions.

Ask a followup question