Mastering Year Six Math

What you’ll discover (and why it’s useful)

You can use fractions to share food, measure paint, and split time fairly. But when fractions have different bottom numbers (denominators), adding and subtracting can feel tricky - until we use the LCM trick.

We’ll also learn how to multiply fractions and how to divide fractions using the “Keep, Change, Flip” method. Once you can do these confidently, lots of real-life fraction problems get much easier.

You’ll practise with examples you can picture, like slices of pizza and toy parts, so the steps stick in your brain.

How it works (LCM and reciprocal methods)

LCM means “Least Common Multiple” - the smallest shared multiple of the denominators. We use it so fractions can be added or subtracted in the same-sized groups.

Here are the key ideas:

• Add/Subtract with LCM: make the denominators the same, then add or subtract the top numbers.
• Multiply fractions: multiply numerators together and denominators together.
• Divide fractions (“Keep, Change, Flip”): keep the first fraction, change ÷ to ×, then flip the second fraction (swap its top and bottom).

Steps for adding fractions like 2/3 + 1/4:

1. Find the LCM of 3 and 4.

2. Rewrite each fraction with that new denominator.

3. Add the numerators, and keep the same denominator.

4. Write your answer clearly (and simplify if you can).

Let’s try it together: 2/3 + 1/4 with toys

Imagine you have toy stickers and you want to make one total using fraction parts.

1. Find the LCM of 3 and 4: it is 12.

2. Change 2/3 into twelfths: multiply top and bottom by 4, so it becomes 8/12.

3. Change 1/4 into twelfths: multiply top and bottom by 3, so it becomes 3/12.

4. Add the numerators: 8 + 3 = 11.

5. Keep the denominator 12, so the answer is 11/12.

Final answer: 2/3 + 1/4 = 11/12.

Your turn (draw, circle, match, colour)

1. Draw and label: Draw 12 boxes in a row. Colour 8 of them for 2/3 and 3 of them for 1/4. Circle the total coloured boxes. What fraction is that?

2. Circle the method: Circle the words “LCM” in your notes, and circle the words “Keep, Change, Flip” anywhere you see them. Then write one short example for each method using fraction numbers.

3. Match and connect: Match these pairs by drawing lines:

• 2/3 + 1/6 → ?
• 3/4 + 1/4 → ?
• 1/5 + 2/5 → ?

(Write the answers next to the matches.)

4. Colour the rule: Colour one box green for “Multiply” and one box blue for “Divide” next to these:

• 2/3 × 3/5
• 3/5 ÷ 1/2

Can you find one snack fraction in your kitchen (like 1/2 a banana) and write a fraction sentence you could solve using LCM or Keep, Change, Flip?