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Section 18.3 Deliberate Practice: Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Algebra is a skill, which means it requires practice to become proficient. But it will take more than rote repetition to get there. Deliberate practice is the thoughtful repetition of a task. For each of these sections, you will be given a list of specific skills or ideas to focus on as you practice thinking through the problems.

Focus on these skills:

  • Write the original expression.

  • Show the multiplication for the common denominator step.

  • Try to use the least common denominator rather than applying the general formula.

  • Present your work legibly.

Worksheet Worksheet

Instructions: Perform the indicated calculation..

1.

Calculate \(\displaystyle \frac{7}{12} + \frac{11}{18}\text{.}\)

2.

Calculate \(\displaystyle \frac{13}{10} - \frac{7}{25}\text{.}\)

3.

Calculate \(\displaystyle \frac{5x}{4y} + \frac{8y}{3x}\text{.}\)

4.

Calculate \(\displaystyle \frac{4a}{3b^2} - \frac{2}{7ab}\text{.}\)

5.

Calculate \(\displaystyle \frac{6}{5p^2q} + \frac{2q}{3p}\text{.}\)

6.

Calculate \(\displaystyle \frac{4}{7x^2 y} - \frac{3x}{2y^2}\text{.}\)

7.

Calculate \(\displaystyle \frac{3n^2}{m^3} + \frac{4m}{3n^2}\text{.}\)

8.

Calculate \(\displaystyle \frac{4}{xy} + \frac{3}{x^2z}\text{.}\)

9.

Calculate \(\displaystyle \frac{5a}{3b^2 c^3} - \frac{4c}{7b^2}\text{.}\)

10.

Calculate \(\displaystyle \frac{3mn}{5p^2} + \frac{5m^2}{8n^2 p}\text{.}\)