Loading [a11y]/accessibility-menu.js

Fraction word problems

Here you will learn about fraction word problems, including solving math word problems within a real-world context involving adding fractions, subtracting fractions, multiplying fractions, and dividing fractions.

Students will first learn about fraction word problems as part of number and operations—fractions in katex is not definedth grade.

What are fraction word problems?

Fraction word problems are math word problems involving fractions that require students to use problem-solving skills within the context of a real-world situation.

To solve a fraction word problem, you must understand the context of the word problem, what the unknown information is, and what operation is needed to solve it. Fraction word problems may require addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division of fractions.

After determining what operation is needed to solve the problem, you can apply the rules of adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing fractions to find the solution.

For example,

Natalie is baking katex is not defined different batches of cookies. One batch needs katex is not defined cup of sugar and the other batch needs katex is not defined cup of sugar. How much sugar is needed to bake both batches of cookies?

You can follow these steps to solve the problem:

Fraction Word Problems 1 US

Fraction Word Problems 2 US

Step-by-step guide: Adding and subtracting fractions

Step-by-step guide: Adding fractions

Step-by-step guide: Subtracting fractions

Step-by-step guide: Multiplying and dividing fractions

Step-by-step guide: Multiplying fractions

Step-by-step guide: Dividing fractions

What are fraction word problems?

What are fraction word problems?

Common Core State Standards

How does this relate to katex is not definedth grade math to katex is not definedth grade math?

  • Grade 4: Number and Operations—Fractions (4.NF.B.3d)
    Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions referring to the same whole and having like denominators, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem.

  • Grade 4: Number and Operations—Fractions (4.NF.B.4c)
    Solve word problems involving multiplication of a fraction by a whole number, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem.
    For example, if each person at a party will eat katex is not defined of a pound of roast beef, and there will be katex is not defined people at the party, how many pounds of roast beef will be needed? Between what two whole numbers does your answer lie?

  • Grade 5: Number and Operations—Fractions (5.NF.A.2)
    Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions referring to the same whole, including cases of unlike denominators, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem.

    Use benchmark fractions and number sense of fractions to estimate mentally and assess the reasonableness of answers. For example, recognize an incorrect result katex is not defined by observing that katex is not defined.

  • Grade 5: Number and Operations—Fractions (5.NF.B.6)
    Solve real world problems involving multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem.

  • Grade 5: Number and Operations—Fractions (5.NF.B.7c)
    Solve real world problems involving division of unit fractions by non-zero whole numbers and division of whole numbers by unit fractions, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem.
    For example, how much chocolate will each person get if katex is not defined people share katex is not defined of chocolate equally? How many katex is not defined cup servings are in katex is not defined cups of raisins?

  • Grade 6: The Number System (6.NS.A.1)
    Interpret and compute quotients of fractions, and solve word problems involving division of fractions by fractions, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem.
    For example, create a story context for katex is not defined and use a visual fraction model to show the quotient; use the relationship between multiplication and division to explain that katex is not defined because katex is not defined of katex is not defined is katex is not defined (In general, katex is not defined)

    How much chocolate will each person get if katex is not defined people share katex is not defined of chocolate equally? How many katex is not defined cup servings are in katex is not defined of a cup of yogurt? How wide is a rectangular strip of land with length katex is not defined and area katex is not defined

[FREE] Fraction Word Problems Worksheet (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Fraction Word Problems Worksheet (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Fraction Word Problems Worksheet (Grade 4 to 6)

Use this worksheet to check your 4th to 6th grade students’ understanding of fraction word problems. 15 questions with answers to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE
x
[FREE] Fraction Word Problems Worksheet (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Fraction Word Problems Worksheet (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Fraction Word Problems Worksheet (Grade 4 to 6)

Use this worksheet to check your 4th to 6th grade students’ understanding of fraction word problems. 15 questions with answers to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE

How to solve fraction word problems

In order to solve fraction word problems:

  1. Determine what operation is needed to solve.
  2. Write an equation.
  3. Solve the equation.
  4. State your answer in a sentence.

Fraction word problem examples

Example 1: adding fractions (like denominators)

Julia ate katex is not defined of a pizza and her brother ate katex is not defined of the same pizza. How much of the pizza did they eat altogether?

  1. Determine what operation is needed to solve.

The problem states how much pizza Julia ate and how much her brother ate. You need to find how much pizza Julia and her brother ate altogether, which means you need to add.

2Write an equation.

katex is not defined

3Solve the equation.

To add fractions with like denominators, add the numerators and keep the denominators the same.

katex is not defined

4State your answer in a sentence.

The last step is to go back to the word problem and write a sentence to clearly say what the solution represents in the context of the problem.

Julia and her brother ate katex is not defined of the pizza altogether.

Example 2: adding fractions (unlike denominators)

Tim ran katex is not defined of a mile in the morning and katex is not defined of a mile in the afternoon. How far did Tim run in total?

Determine what operation is needed to solve.

Show step

Write an equation.

Show step

Solve the equation.

Show step

State your answer in a sentence.

Show step

Example 3: subtracting fractions (like denominators)

Pia walked katex is not defined of a mile to the park and katex is not defined of a mile back home. How much farther did she walk to the park than back home?

Determine what operation is needed to solve.

Show step

Write an equation.

Show step

Solve the equation.

Show step

State your answer in a sentence.

Show step

Example 4: subtracting fractions (unlike denominators)

Henry bought katex is not defined pound of beef from the grocery store. He used katex is not defined of a pound of beef to make a hamburger. How much of the beef does he have left?

Determine what operation is needed to solve.

Show step

Write an equation.

Show step

Solve the equation.

Show step

State your answer in a sentence.

Show step

Example 5: multiplying fractions

Andre has katex is not defined of a candy bar left. He gives katex is not defined of the remaining bit of the candy bar to his sister. What fraction of the whole candy bar does Andre have left now?

Determine what operation is needed to solve.

Show step

Write an equation.

Show step

Solve the equation.

Show step

State your answer in a sentence.

Show step

Example 6: dividing fractions

Nia has katex is not defined cup of trail mix. How many katex is not defined cup servings can she make?

Determine what operation is needed to solve.

Show step

Write an equation.

Show step

Solve the equation.

Show step

State your answer in a sentence.

Show step

[FREE] Fraction Operations Worksheet (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Fraction Operations Worksheet (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Fraction Operations Worksheet (Grade 4 to 6)

Use this quiz to check your grade 4 to 6 students’ understanding of fraction operations. 10+ questions with answers covering a range of 4th to 6th grade fraction operations topics to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE
x
[FREE] Fraction Operations Worksheet (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Fraction Operations Worksheet (Grade 4 to 6)

[FREE] Fraction Operations Worksheet (Grade 4 to 6)

Use this quiz to check your grade 4 to 6 students’ understanding of fraction operations. 10+ questions with answers covering a range of 4th to 6th grade fraction operations topics to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE

Teaching tips for fraction word problems

  • Encourage students to look for key words to help determine the operation needed to solve the problem. For example, subtracting fractions word problems might ask students to find “how much is left” or “how much more” one fraction is than another.

  • Provide students with an answer key to word problem worksheets to allow them to obtain immediate feedback on their solutions. Encourage students to attempt the problems independently first, then check their answers against the key to identify any mistakes and learn from them. This helps reinforce problem-solving skills and confidence.

  • Be sure to incorporate real-world situations into your math lessons. Doing so allows students to better understand the relevance of fractions in everyday life.

  • As students progress and build a strong foundational understanding of one-step fraction word problems, provide them with multi-step word problems that involve more than one operation to solve.

  • Take note that students will not divide a fraction by a fraction as shown above until katex is not definedth grade (middle school), but they will divide a unit fraction by a whole number and a whole number by a fraction in katex is not definedth grade (elementary school), where the same mathematical rules apply to solving.

  • There are many alternatives you can use in place of printable math worksheets to make practicing fraction word problems more engaging. Some examples are online math games and digital workbooks.

Easy mistakes to make

  • Misinterpreting the problem
    Misreading or misunderstanding the word problem can lead to solving for the wrong quantity or using the wrong operation.

  • Not finding common denominators
    When adding or subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, students may forget to find a common denominator, leading to an incorrect answer.

  • Forgetting to simplify
    Unless a problem specifically says not to simplify, fractional answers should always be written in simplest form.

Practice fraction word problem questions

1. Malia spent katex is not defined of an hour studying for a math test. Then she spent katex is not defined of an hour reading. How much longer did she spend studying for her math test than reading?

Malia spent katex is not defined of an hour longer studying for her math test than reading.

GCSE Quiz True

Malia spent katex is not defined of an hour longer studying for her math test than reading.

GCSE Quiz False

Malia spent katex is not defined of an hour longer reading than studying for her math test.

GCSE Quiz False

Malia spent katex is not defined of an hour longer studying for her math test than reading.

GCSE Quiz False

To find the difference between the amount of time Malia spent studying for her math test than reading, you need to subtract. Since the fractions have unlike denominators, you need to find a common denominator first.

 

You can use katex is not defined as the common denominator, so katex is not defined becomes katex is not defined Then you can subtract.

 

katex is not defined

 

katex is not defined can then be simplified to katex is not defined

 

Finally, you need to choose the answer that correctly answers the question within the context of the situation. Therefore, the correct answer is “Malia spent katex is not defined of an hour longer studying for her math test than reading.”

2. A square garden is katex is not defined of a meter wide and katex is not defined of a meter long. What is its area?

The area of the garden is katex is not defined square meters.

GCSE Quiz False

The area of the garden is katex is not defined square meters.

GCSE Quiz False

The area of the garden is katex is not defined square meters.

GCSE Quiz True

The perimeter of the garden is katex is not defined meters.

GCSE Quiz False

To find the area of a square, you multiply the length and width. So to solve, you multiply the fractional lengths by mulitplying the numerators and multiplying the denominators.

 

katex is not defined

 

katex is not defined can be simplified to katex is not defined

 

Therefore, the correct answer is “The area of the garden is katex is not defined square meters.”

3. Zoe ate katex is not defined of a small cake. Liam ate katex is not defined of the same cake. How much more of the cake did Zoe eat than Liam?

Zoe ate katex is not defined more of the cake than Liam.

GCSE Quiz False

Zoe ate katex is not defined more of the cake than Liam.

GCSE Quiz True

Zoe ate katex is not defined more of the cake than Liam.

GCSE Quiz False

Liam ate katex is not defined more of the cake than Zoe.

GCSE Quiz False

To find how much more cake Zoe ate than Liam, you subtract. Since the fractions have the same denominator, you subtract the numerators and keep the denominator the same.

 

katex is not defined

 

katex is not defined can be simplified to katex is not defined

 

Therefore, the correct answer is “Zoe ate katex is not defined more of the cake than Liam.”

4. Lila poured katex is not defined cup of pineapple and katex is not defined cup of mango juice in a bottle. How many cups of juice did she pour into the bottle altogether?

Lila poured katex is not defined cups of juice in the bottle altogether.

GCSE Quiz True

Lila poured katex is not defined cups of juice in the bottle altogether.

GCSE Quiz False

Lila poured katex is not defined cups of juice in the bottle altogether.

GCSE Quiz False

Lila poured katex is not defined cups of juice in the bottle altogether.

GCSE Quiz False

To find the total amount of juice that Lila poured into the bottle, you need to add. Since the fractions have unlike denominators, you need to find a common denominator first.

 

You can use katex is not defined as the common denominator, so katex is not defined becomes katex is not defined Then you can add.

 

katex is not defined

 

katex is not defined can be simplified to katex is not defined

 

Therefore, the correct answer is “Lila poured katex is not defined cups of juice in the bottle altogether.”

5. Killian used katex is not defined of a gallon of paint to paint his living room and katex is not defined of a gallon to paint his bedroom. How much paint did Killian use in all?

Killian used katex is not defined gallons of paint in all.

GCSE Quiz False

Killian used katex is not defined gallons of paint in all.

GCSE Quiz False

Killian used katex is not defined gallons of paint in all.

GCSE Quiz False

Killian used katex is not defined gallons of paint in all.

GCSE Quiz True

To find the total amount of paint Killian used, you add the amount he used for the living room and the amount he used for the kitchen. Since the fractions have the same denominator, you add the numerators and keep the denominators the same.

 

katex is not defined

 

katex is not defined can be simplified to katex is not defined and then further simplified to katex is not defined

 

Therefore, the correct answer is “Killian used katex is not defined gallons of paint in all.”

6. Evan pours katex is not defined of a liter of orange juice evenly among some cups.

 

He put katex is not defined of a liter into each cup. How many cups did Evan fill?

Evan filled katex is not defined cups.

GCSE Quiz False

Evan filled katex is not defined cups.

GCSE Quiz True

Evan filled katex is not defined cups.

GCSE Quiz False

Evan filled katex is not defined cups.

GCSE Quiz False

To find the number of cups Evan filled, you need to divide the total amount of orange juice by the amount being poured into each cup. To divide fractions, you mulitply the first fraction (the dividend) by the reciprocal of the second fraction (the divisor).

 

katex is not defined

 

katex is not defined can be simplifed to katex is not defined

 

Therefore, the correct answer is “Evan filled katex is not defined cups.”

Fraction word problems FAQs

What are fraction word problems?

Fraction word problems are math word problems involving fractions that require students to use problem-solving skills within the context of a real-world situation. Fraction word problems may involve addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division of fractions.

How do you solve fraction word problems?

To solve fraction word problems, first you need to determine the operation. Then you can write an equation and solve the equation based on the arithmetic rules for that operation.

How are fraction word problems similar to decimal word problems?

Fraction word problems and decimal word problems are similar because they both involve solving math problems within real-world contexts. Both types of problems require understanding the problem, determining the operation needed to solve it (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), and solving it based on the arithmetic rules for that operation.

The next lessons are

Still stuck?

At Third Space Learning, we specialize in helping teachers and school leaders to provide personalized math support for more of their students through high-quality, online one-on-one math tutoring delivered by subject experts.

Each week, our tutors support thousands of students who are at risk of not meeting their grade-level expectations, and help accelerate their progress and boost their confidence.

One on one math tuition

Find out how we can help your students achieve success with our math tutoring programs.

x

[FREE] Common Core Practice Tests (3rd to 8th Grade)

Prepare for math tests in your state with these 3rd Grade to 8th Grade practice assessments for Common Core and state equivalents.

Get your 6 multiple choice practice tests with detailed answers to support test prep, created by US math teachers for US math teachers!

Download free