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This topic adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides fractions and mixed numbers, working exactly without a calculator. It's examined right across GCSE and iGCSE Maths. Work through it free on eClassroom, with clear worked examples and instantly-marked questions that build your confidence for the exam.
How you do it
To add or subtract, find a common denominator first. To multiply, multiply tops and bottoms and cancel before you do. To divide, flip the second fraction and multiply. Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions before you start.
Before you start
You need equivalent fractions and the four operations before this makes sense. Assessed at Foundation and Higher tier. Expect to use it again in algebraic fractions and ratio. It is part of the Number strand.
What you learn
Fractions let you give exact answers — no rounding. This lesson covers the four operations with fractions and finding a fraction of an amount. To add or subtract, make the denominators the same first, then add or subtract the tops. An exact answer means leaving it as a fraction — 1 ⁄ 3, not 0.333… The fraction is exact; the decimal is rounded. The course works through multiplying and dividing, adding and subtracting and simplifying and exact answers. Every section has instant-feedback practice questions matched to Edexcel iGCSE 4MA1 and the other major GCSE boards, and the course finishes with full exam-style questions you mark yourself.
Related Topics
We teach Fractions & Exact Calculation as one of the Number topics in our GCSE course library, at Foundation tier. It runs to 3 concepts, each followed by a check, with 2 worked examples along the way. Nearby topics in the same strand are Indices, Order of Operations and Ordering & Place Value. The Number revision engine gives you as many extra questions as you want, tracked on your skill tree.
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