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More Lessons for Grade 6
Math Worksheets
Examples, solutions, videos, worksheets, stories and songs to help Grade 6 students learn how to add and subtract rational numbers.
Adding and subtracting rational numbers involves similar principles to adding and subtracting fractions. Remember that rational numbers can be expressed as fractions ( \( \frac{p}{q} \) where \( p \) and \( q \) are integers and \( q \) ≠ 0) or decimals that can be converted to fractions.
Check out the following lesson if you need to review what is a rational number:
Rational Numbers
The following diagram gives some examples of adding rational numbers. Scroll down the page for more examples and solutions.
Fraction, Decimal & Rational Number Worksheets
Practice your skills with the following worksheets:
Online & Printable Fraction Worksheets
Online & Printable Decimal Worksheets
Online & Printable Rational Number Worksheets
Adding and Subtracting Rational Numbers in Fraction Form
Case 1: Same Denominator
To add or subtract fractions with the same denominator, add or subtract the numerators and keep the denominator the same.
Case 2: Different Denominators
To add or subtract fractions with different denominators, you must first find a common denominator. The least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators is usually the most efficient common denominator. Convert to equivalent fractions with same denominator. Then, add or subtract the numerators and keep the denominator the same.
Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers
Mixed numbers can be added or subtracted in two main ways:
Method 1: Convert to Improper Fractions
Adding and Subtracting Rational Numbers in Decimal Form
To add or subtract rational numbers in decimal form, follow the same rules as adding or subtracting whole numbers, making sure to align the decimal points vertically.
Steps:
Remember to always simplify your final answer whenever possible, whether it’s a fraction or a decimal.
Pay attention to the signs of the rational numbers when performing the operations. The rules for adding and subtracting integers (same signs add and keep the sign, different signs subtract and keep the sign of the larger absolute value) apply to the numerators of fractions and to decimal numbers as well.
How to add and subtract rational numbers?
When we add or subtract rational numbers that have the same denominator, we add or subtract only the numerators. The denominators stay the same.
When we add or subtract rational numbers with unlike denominators, we need to change the rational numbers to equivalent rational numbers that have the same denominators, before we find the sum or difference.
Adding & Subtraction Rational Numbers
Addition of Rational Numbers
Subtraction of Rational Numbers
Add Rational Numbers
Try out our new and fun Fraction Concoction Game.
Add and subtract fractions to make exciting fraction concoctions following a recipe. There are four levels of difficulty: Easy, medium, hard and insane. Practice the basics of fraction addition and subtraction or challenge yourself with the insane level.
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