Adding and Subtracting

To add mixed numbers, add the whole parts and the fraction parts separately. For example, 2 and 1/3 plus 1 and 2/3 = 3 + 3/3 = 3 + 1 = 4. When the fractions add up to more than one, carry the extra whole over into the whole-number total.

Subtraction works the same way, with one twist: if the top fraction is smaller than the bottom one, borrow 1 from the whole number and turn it into a fraction first. For instance, 4 and 1/4 becomes 3 and 5/4, giving you enough to subtract from.

For multiplication and division, convert to improper fractions first. Trying to multiply mixed numbers directly leads to errors because you'd need to distribute across both the whole and fractional parts. The conversion-first approach is cleaner and always works.