NumberFoundation and Higher

Fractions: GCSE maths practice with worked answers

Show Working has 5 kinds of fractions question for GCSE Maths, for Foundation and Higher. Every question is new each time and comes with the working, step by step.

Fractions questions at GCSE ask you to simplify, find a fraction of an amount, and add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions, including mixed numbers. Most marks come from setting the working out clearly, such as finding a common denominator before you add.

Coming soon to the App Store

Worked example 1: simplify a fraction

Write 2442 in its simplest form.

Find the biggest number that goes into both 24 and 42. It is 6.
Divide the top and the bottom by 6: 2442 = 47.
Nothing else goes into both 4 and 7, so it is fully simplified.

Answer 47

01 / What's covered5 kinds of question

Fractions questions in the app

Each kind makes fresh questions every time, so you can practise as often as you like.

Simplify a fractionBoth tiers
Fraction of an amountBoth tiers
Add and subtract fractionsBoth tiers
Multiply and divide fractionsBoth tiers
Mixed numbersBoth tiers

Worked example 2: mixed numbers

Work out 123 × 112. Give your answer as a mixed number or a fraction in its simplest form.

Change both to top-heavy (improper) fractions: 123 = 53 and 112 = 32.
Multiply the tops and multiply the bottoms: 53 × 32 = 156.
As a simple answer: 52 = 212.

Answer 212 (or 52)

A common mistake

Adding the tops and the bottoms separately, so that 1/4 + 1/5 becomes 2/9. Fractions can only be added once they have the same denominator: 1/4 + 1/5 = 5/20 + 4/20 = 9/20.

02 / Practise itiPhone and iPad

Practise fractions in Show Working

In the app, open Topics and choose Fractions for ten fresh questions. Ask for a hint if you are stuck, and open the working to see the method one step at a time.