Fraction stories, add and subtract: 5th grade math lesson

What this lesson shows

2 3/4 cups of berries, less 5/8 cup and 1/2 cup, drawn and written as an equation.

The worked example

The lesson works this one step by step: 2 3/4 − 5/8 − 1/2. Then your kid tries one like it on paper.

The steps

Draw the story
Write the equation
Same parts, then solve
Check by adding back

Helping at home

Draw a bar for the whole amount and mark the parts used. Write an equation with n for what is left. Rename everything in the same parts, add the parts used, then take that away. Check by adding back.

If your kid gets stuck

Draw it, write the equation with n, then solve.

Watch it with Lux

With Lux, this lesson is a narrated video and a printed page your kid works on. Then Lux helps with the same math on their own worksheet, one question at a time.

See how Lux works

Standards

Common Core 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 2/5 + 1/2 = 3/7, by observing that 3/7 < 1/2.

Matches a standard in all 50 states and DCSee each state's code

Alabama MA19.5.9
Alaska 5.NF.2
Arizona 5.NF.A.2 *, 5.NF.B.6 *
Arkansas 5.CAR.5, 5.CAR.9
California 5.NF.A.2
Colorado 5.NF.A.2
Connecticut 5.NF.A.2
Delaware 5.NF.A.2
District of Columbia 5.NF.A.2
Florida MA.5.AR.1.2
Georgia 5.NR.3.3
Hawaii 5.NF.A.2
Idaho 5.NF.A.2.a, 5.NF.A.2.b
Illinois 5.NF.A.2
Indiana 5.CA.4
Iowa 5.NF.A.2
Kansas 5.NF.2
Kentucky KY.5.NF.6, KY.5.NF.2.a, KY.5.NF.2.b
Louisiana 5.NF.A.2.a, 5.NF.A.2.b
Maine 5.NF.A.2
Maryland 4.NOS.E.12.b, 5.NOS.C.8.a, 5.NOS.C.9
Massachusetts 5.NF.A.2
Michigan 5.NF.A.2
Minnesota 5.1.3.3, 5.1.3.4
Mississippi 5.NF.2
Missouri 5.NF.B.4, 5.NF.B.6, 5.RA.C.5
Montana MT.5.NF.2, 5.D1.16
Nebraska 5.N.3.d, 5.A.1.c
Nevada 5.NF.A.2
New Hampshire 5.NF.A.2
New Jersey 5.NF.A.2
New Mexico 5.NF.A.2
New York NY-5.NF.2, NY-5.NF.6
North Carolina NC.5.NF.1.a, NC.5.NF.1.b
North Dakota 5.NO.NF.3
Ohio 5.NF.2
Oklahoma 5.N.3.1, 5.N.3.2
Oregon 5.NF.A.2, 5.NF.B.6
Pennsylvania CC.2.1.5.C.1
Rhode Island 5.NF.A.2
South Carolina 5.PAFR.2.1
South Dakota 5.NF.A.2.a, 5.NF.A.2.b
Tennessee 5.NF.A.2
Texas 111.6.b.3.F
Utah 5.NF.2
Vermont 5.NF.A.2
Virginia 5.CE.2c
Washington 5.NF.A.2
West Virginia M.5.12
Wisconsin M.5.NF.B.6, M.5.NF.A.2
Wyoming 5.NF.2

Fraction stories, add and subtract