Fraction Word
Problems
M/J Math 1
EETT Lesson #6
When reading word problems
containing fractions,
certain phrases can indicate the
operation that you need to do in
order to solve the word problem.
Addition +
“How much together?”
“How far will she travel
from home to the park,
then to the library?”
Subtraction −
“How much more is needed?”
“How much further than?”
“How much is left?”
“How bigger than?”
Multiplication ×
“Times longer...”
“The product of…”
“A fraction of something…”
Division ÷
“Find the quotient…”
“Divided into to pieces…”
“How many will fit?”
“How many can be split from?”
In the recent Student Government
1
elections, Larry received
of the
3
votes for treasurer and Leah
1
received
of the votes.
15
What fraction of the votes did
both candidates earn together?
Solution:
1 ×5 1
=
+
3 ×5 15
5
1
5+1
=
+
=
15 15
15
6
2
=
15
5
Together they
2
received of the
5
votes.
One tree is 6 feet tall. Another
1
one is only 3 4 feet tall. How
much taller is the larger of two
trees.
Solution:
6= 5
−3
2
4
4
1
4
3
4
The larger tree is 2
feet taller than the
smaller one.
1
4
1
3
Sean swam 2 miles at swim
1
team practice. If Becky swam 1
2
times as far as Sean, then how
many miles did Becky swim?
Solution:
1
1
2 3 ×1 2 =
3
1
3
7
21
=3
=3
×
=
6
2
2
3
6
Becky swam 3
miles at swim
team practice.
1
2
Charlie works at a livery and uses
a 60 pound bag of oats to feed
4
the horses. If each horse gets 5
pounds of food, then how many
horses can Charlie feed with one
bag of oats?
Solution:
4
60 4
60 ÷ 5 = 1 ÷ 5 =
60 5
300
= 75
×
=
4
1
4
One bag of oats can
feed 75 horses.