AC9M5N05 • Year 5 Maths

Solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with the...: Year 5 Maths topic guide

solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with the same or related denominators, using different strategies

What students learn in AC9M5N05

This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of Solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with the.... The goal is not to memorise one answer pattern. Students should be able to explain the idea, recognise it in a new example and apply it in a short practice or worksheet task.

  • Start with the main idea: solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with the same or related denominators, using different strategies.
  • Use concrete examples, pictures, oral explanation and short written responses before moving to independent practice.
  • using different ways to add and subtract fractional amounts by subdividing different models of measurement attributes; for example, adding half an hour and three-quarters of an hour using a clock face, adding a \frac34 cup of flour and a \frac14 cup of flour, subtracting \frac34 of a metre from 2\frac14 metres representing and solving addition and subtraction problems involving fractions by using jumps on a number line, bar models or making diagrams of fractions as parts of shapes
  • Finish with mixed questions so students must choose the correct strategy rather than copy the last example.

Curriculum coverage and elaborations

The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning but may not appear in the initial eight-question activity.

  • Content description: solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with the same or related denominators, using different strategies
  • E1: using different ways to add and subtract fractional amounts by subdividing different models of measurement attributes; for example, adding half an hour and three-quarters of an hour using a clock face, adding a \frac34 cup of flour and a \frac14 cup of flour, subtracting \frac34 of a metre from 2\frac14 metres
  • E2: representing and solving addition and subtraction problems involving fractions by using jumps on a number line, bar models or making diagrams of fractions as parts of shapes
  • E3: using materials, diagrams, number lines or arrays to show and explain that fraction number sentences can be rewritten in equivalent forms without changing the quantity; for example, \frac12 + \frac14 is the same as \frac24 + \frac14

How to use this unit

Read the topic guide, use the teacher slide for instruction, then complete the Worksheet, Practice and Test. These three activities use the same eight-question unit bank.

Teacher resource

AC9M5N05 teacher slide

Use this one-page PDF to introduce the key idea, vocabulary and teaching sequence before students begin the activities.

Open teacher slide (PDF)

Common mistakes to watch for

  • Rushing to a rule before checking the concrete model, drawing or number sentence.
  • Using the correct answer once but not being able to explain why it works.
  • Mixing up similar vocabulary such as more/less, before/after, longer/shorter or equal groups/sharing.

International curriculum mapping

This table gives closest-topic mapping for search and planning. The Australian Curriculum code is exact; overseas entries are broad equivalents because each jurisdiction structures outcomes differently.

RegionCurriculumClosest mapping
AustraliaAustralian Curriculum v9.0AC9M5N05 — solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with the same or related denominators, using different strategies
VictoriaVictorian Curriculum F-10Year 5 Maths: closest match in Number. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference.
NSWNSW CurriculumStage 3 Maths: closest content focus for Solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with the... and related outcomes.
United StatesCommon Core / NGSSGrade 5 Common Core Mathematics/ELA closest topic match for Solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with the....
England / UKNational CurriculumKey Stage 2 / Year 5: closest programme-of-study match for Solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with the....
CanadaProvincial and territory curriculaGrade 5 closest topic match. Canada varies by province, so use this as a broad Ontario/BC-style learning outcome reference.
New ZealandNew Zealand CurriculumLevel 3 Maths: closest achievement-objective topic for Solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with the....
IndiaNCERT / CBSEClass 5 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for Solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with the....

Related Year 5 Maths topics

Official curriculum references