Adding and subtracting fractions III

Adding and subtracting fractions III

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about addition, subtraction with fractions and mixed numbers.
Questions/instructions
 
What is the answer to the following fraction equations?
Write your answers after each equation.
 
1.
 
\(1 \over 2\) + \(1 \over 2\) + \(1 \over 2\) =
 
 
2.
 
\(2 \over 3\) + \(2 \over 3\) =
 
 
3.
 
\(1 \over 2\) + \(1 \over 4\)=
 
 
4.
 
1 – \(1 \over 2\) =
 
 
5.
 
\(1 \over 4\) + \(2 \over 3\) =
 
 
6.
 
\(1 \over 2\)\(1 \over 4\) =
 
 
7.
 
4 – \(1 \over 3\) =
 
 
8.
 
2\(1 \over 2\) – \(3 \over 4\) =
 
 
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
Levels:
2, 4
Description of task: 
For this NEMP task students perform calculations using fractions and mixed numbers.
Answers/responses: 
    Y4 (10/1997) Y8 (09/1997)
1. 11/2 24% 67%
2. 11/3 7% 44%
3. 3/4 7% 45%
4. 1/2 27% -
5. 11/12 - 14%
6. 1/4 - 46%
7. 32/3 - 33%
8. 13/4 - 34%

NOTE: Accept any equivalent fractions.

Diagnostic and formative information: 
Commentary
Year 4 students showed little capacity to handle tasks involving fractions other than 1/2 .
Year 8 students were not highly successful with any of the tasks, but had a particular difficulty with mixed denominators.