Bennie scoops 1/3 cup of oats into a bowl. Then he scoops 1/3 cup more.
"How much is in the bowl now?" he wonders.
Ferris points at the scoop. "What do you notice about the bottom numbers?"
Riley holds up two fingers. "Here is a hint," he says. "Count the thirds."
When fractions have the same bottom number, add the top numbers.
The bottom number stays the same.
1/3 plus 1/3 is 2/3. Two thirds of a cup.
1/4 plus 2/4 is 3/4. Three fourths of a cup.
| Scoops | Add the tops | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1/3 + 1/3 | 1 + 1 = 2 | 2/3 cup |
| 1/4 + 1/4 + 1/4 | 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 | 3/4 cup |
| 2/4 + 2/4 | 2 + 2 = 4 | 4/4 = 1 cup |
Subtracting works the same way. Subtract the top numbers.
You have 3/4 cup of oats. You use 1/4 cup. Now you have 2/4 cup.
| Statement | True or false? |
|---|---|
| 1/4 plus 1/4 is 2/4. | ? |
| 1/3 plus 1/3 is 2/6. | ? |
| 4/4 cup is one whole cup. | ? |
Fraction adder! Tomorrow is Kitchen Lab. You will prove it with real scoops.