Adding Mixed Numbers

Join Suzy and her grandpa at the orchard as they pick pears and discover the total they have by adding mixed numbers. This adding mixed numbers song then takes us on a field trip to the grocery store where Suzy saves the day when the scale is broken, requiring her to show her aunt and the clerk how to add mixed numbers.

Adding And Subtracting Mixed Numbers Song Lyrics:

Verses:
Verse 1: I was harvesting our orchard with grandad;
we looked at the bags of pears we had.
He had 2 ¾ bags, and I had 1 ¾ of a bag.
It was a chilly evening in the fall;
we’d worked hard ‘til we hit a wall.
I asked him, “How many pears have we harvested in all?”
He said, “To add mixed numbers together,
here’s a way that’s very clever.
Start by drawing circles for each whole and part.
Split each into fourths, standing for
the four in each denominator.
Shade the fractions; each whole number;
draw their sums right under.”

Prechorus: When the fractions sum is greater than one,
carry the one to the one’s column. Write the whole number’s sum
and remaining fraction in numerals and we’re done.
And some familiar words you’ve probably heard when you finish the
calculation… it’s always preferred to check your work, with the inverse
operation.

Chorus: First we add the two fractions, and then we find their sum.
If it’s greater than one whole, carry the “one.”
Then we add up the whole numbers to find the total sum
of two mixed numbers--aka, mixed fractions.

Verse 2: Then I went grocery shopping with my aunt;
got the trail mix I always want.
We brought her 2 ⅔ pound bag and my 1 ⅔ to the front.
We walked to the register to see
the total weight our bags would be,
but the scale was broke, so I spoke, “Just leave it to me!”
Then I said, “To add mixed numbers together,
here’s a way that’s very clever:
start by drawing circles for each whole and part.
Split each into 3rds, standing for
the 3 in each denominator.
Shade the fractions... each whole number;
draw their sums right under.”

Bridge: Now we’ve added mixed numbers like the pros,
but let’s learn more; here’s what I propose:
Let’s suppose we want to decompose
just one of those; here’s how it goes…
Take 1 ⅔ and like fine art, draw each third as its own part.
And now I gaze upon my beautiful chart
and see five “one thirds” in my grocery cart.
And if you search the Earth, you’ll find a dearth
of real-life fractions, so it’s probably worth
decomposing once more… this time 1 ¾ .
First split it into unit fraction form,
and into 7 one-fourths it transforms.
And if we add them up - every part -
the sum’s the 1 ¾ we split up at the start.

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