Add mixed numbers crossing the whole
I can add mixed numbers crossing the whole.
Add mixed numbers crossing the whole
I can add mixed numbers crossing the whole.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Improper fractions can be added in the same way as proper fractions.
- A mixed number can be partitioned into its parts when adding it to improper or proper fractions.
- To add two mixed numbers, the whole number parts can be added and the fractional parts can be added.
- If the sum has a fractional part greater than one, this needs a conversion to express it as a conventional mixed number.
- A number line is a useful tool to use to support addition of mixed numbers.
Keywords
Mixed number - A mixed number is a whole number and a fraction combined.
Improper fraction - An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator.
Common misconception
Adding the fractional part of a mixed number to a proper fraction may result in an improper fraction, which may be recombined with the whole number part of the mixed number and left as improper.
In a mixed number, the numerator of the fractional part must always be smaller than the denominator. If it is greater, a final conversion is needed.
To help you plan your year 4 maths lesson on: Add mixed numbers crossing the whole, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 maths lesson on: Add mixed numbers crossing the whole, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 maths lessons from the Efficient strategies for adding and subtracting mixed numbers (crossing a whole) unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions

$$ {1} \over {4}$$ + $$ {1} \over {4}$$ -
$$ {2} \over {4}$$
$$ {1} \over {4}$$ + $$ {2} \over {4}$$ -
$$ {3} \over {4}$$
$$ {1} \over {5}$$ + $$ {2} \over {5}$$ -
$$ {3} \over {5}$$
$$ {1} \over {5}$$ + $$ {3} \over {5}$$ -
$$ {4} \over {5}$$
$$ {2} \over {8}$$ + $$ {2} \over {8}$$ -
$$ {4} \over {8}$$

$$ {9} \over {4}$$ -
$$2{{1} \over {4}}$$
$$ {18} \over {4}$$ -
$$4{{2} \over {4}}$$
$$ {29} \over {4}$$ -
$$7{{1} \over {4}}$$
$$ {34} \over {4}$$ -
$$8{{2} \over {4}}$$
$$ {46} \over {4}$$ -
$$11{{2} \over {4}}$$
Exit quiz
6 Questions


$$4{{1} \over {9}}$$ -
$$2{{7} \over {9}}$$ + $$1{{3} \over {9}}$$
$$2{{8} \over {9}}$$ -
$$1{{5} \over {9}}$$ + $$1{{3} \over {9}}$$
4 -
$$3{{4} \over {9}}$$ + $$ {5} \over {9}$$
5 -
$$3{{4} \over {9}}$$ + $$1{{5} \over {9}}$$
$$4{{2} \over {9}}$$ -
$$1{{3} \over {9}}$$ + $$2{8} \over {9}$$