Fraction addition and subtraction word problems worksheet with real-life scenarios and common denominators.

Let’s solve each problem one by one. We’re adding or subtracting fractions with the same denominator — that means we just add or subtract the top numbers (numerators) and keep the bottom number (denominator) the same. Then, if needed, we simplify the answer to lowest terms.

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Problem 1:
Oliver spent 1/6 hours on math + 1/6 hours on reading.
Add: 1/6 + 1/6 = 2/6
Simplify: 2 ÷ 2 = 1, 6 ÷ 2 = 3 → 1/3 hour

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Problem 2:
Sandcastle is 1/5 feet high + flag is 3/5 feet high.
Add: 1/5 + 3/5 = 4/5
Already in lowest terms → 4/5 feet

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Problem 3:
Flour before baking: 5/9 cups + after baking: 3/9 cups
Add: 5/9 + 3/9 = 8/9
Already in lowest terms → 8/9 cups

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Problem 4:
Bulldozer weighs 2/9 tons + dirt scooped up: 3/9 tons
Add: 2/9 + 3/9 = 5/9
Already in lowest terms → 5/9 tons

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Problem 5:
First road: 6/7 miles + second road: 1/7 miles
Add: 6/7 + 1/7 = 7/7 = 1
→ 1 mile

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Problem 6:
Tiffany picked up 5 5/8 bags, friend picked up 4 1/8 bags.
We need to find how much *more* Tiffany picked up → subtract.

First, convert mixed numbers to improper fractions:

Tiffany: 5 5/8 = (5×8 + 5)/8 = 45/8
Friend: 4 1/8 = (4×8 + 1)/8 = 33/8

Subtract: 45/8 - 33/8 = 12/8
Simplify: 12 ÷ 4 = 3, 8 ÷ 4 = 2 → 3/2 = 1 1/2
→ 1 1/2 bags more

*(Alternatively, you can subtract whole numbers and fractions separately:
5 - 4 = 1, and 5/8 - 1/8 = 4/8 = 1/2 → total 1 1/2)*

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Problem 7:
Lana had 7 4/8 pounds of candy, family ate 3 6/8 pounds.
Find how much is left → subtract.

Convert to improper fractions:

Start: 7 4/8 = (7×8 + 4)/8 = 60/8
Eaten: 3 6/8 = (3×8 + 6)/8 = 30/8

Subtract: 60/8 - 30/8 = 30/8
Simplify: 30 ÷ 2 = 15, 8 ÷ 2 = 4 → 15/4 = 3 3/4
*(Or divide 30 by 8: 8×3=24, remainder 6 → 3 6/8 = 3 3/4 after simplifying 6/8 to 3/4)*

Wait — let’s double-check using mixed numbers directly:

7 4/8 minus 3 6/8.

Since 4/8 is less than 6/8, we borrow 1 from the 7:

7 4/8 = 6 + 1 + 4/8 = 6 + 8/8 + 4/8 = 6 12/8

Now subtract:
6 12/8 - 3 6/8 = (6-3) and (12/8 - 6/8) = 3 6/8

Simplify 6/8 → divide numerator and denominator by 2 → 3/4

So final answer: 3 3/4 pounds

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Final Answer:
1) 1/3 hour
2) 4/5 feet
3) 8/9 cups
4) 5/9 tons
5) 1 mile
6) 1 1/2 bags
7) 3 3/4 pounds