Let’s go through each problem one by one.
---
Problem 1:
Ms. Stanley’s class is painting animals and objects.
- Students painting animals:
3/5 of the class
- Students painting objects:
2/7 of the class
We need to find how many *more* students are painting animals than objects → subtract:
3/5 - 2/7
To subtract fractions with different denominators, we need a common denominator.
LCM of 5 and 7 is
35.
Convert:
- 3/5 = (3×7)/(5×7) =
21/35
- 2/7 = (2×5)/(7×5) =
10/35
Now subtract:
21/35 - 10/35 =
11/35
✔ So,
11/35 more students are painting animals than objects.
---
Problem 2:
Max drives:
- To post office:
1/4 mile
- To grocery store:
3/8 mile
Total distance = add them:
1/4 + 3/8
Common denominator of 4 and 8 is
8.
Convert:
- 1/4 = (1×2)/(4×2) =
2/8
Add:
2/8 + 3/8 =
5/8
✔ Max drove
5/8 mile total.
---
Problem 3:
Ella spends:
- Cleaning supplies:
2/3 dollar
- Popcorn:
1/6 dollar
Total spent =
2/3 + 1/6
Common denominator of 3 and 6 is
6.
Convert:
- 2/3 = (2×2)/(3×2) =
4/6
Add:
4/6 + 1/6 =
5/6
✔ Ella spent
5/6 of a dollar.
---
Problem 4:
Franklin Zoo giraffes:
- Male (Raffle):
9/10 ton
- Female (Lola):
5/6 ton
How much heavier is Raffle? → Subtract:
9/10 - 5/6
Common denominator of 10 and 6 is
30.
Convert:
- 9/10 = (9×3)/(10×3) =
27/30
- 5/6 = (5×5)/(6×5) =
25/30
Subtract:
27/30 - 25/30 =
2/30
Simplify:
2/30 =
1/15
✔ Raffle weighs
1/15 ton more than Lola.
---
Problem 5:
Khloe walked:
- Yesterday:
3/4 mile
- Today:
1/2 mile
Total miles =
3/4 + 1/2
Common denominator of 4 and 2 is
4.
Convert:
- 1/2 = (1×2)/(2×2) =
2/4
Add:
3/4 + 2/4 =
5/4
That’s an improper fraction — convert to mixed number:
5 ÷ 4 = 1 with remainder 1 →
1 1/4
✔ Khloe walked
1 1/4 miles total.
---
Problem 6:
Kennedy has shirts:
- Green:
1/3 of all shirts
- Red:
1/4 of all shirts
What fraction are green OR red? → Add:
1/3 + 1/4
Common denominator of 3 and 4 is
12.
Convert:
- 1/3 = (1×4)/(3×4) =
4/12
- 1/4 = (1×3)/(4×3) =
3/12
Add:
4/12 + 3/12 =
7/12
✔ 7/12 of the shirts are green or red.
---
Final Answer:
1. 11/35
2. 5/8
3. 5/6
4. 1/15
5. 1 1/4
6. 7/12
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators word problems worksheet.
