A mixed number is a fraction just with a whole number such as 1, 2, 3, and on. A regular fraction would be 5/10 and you can make that irregular so we can say if it was 15/10 then thats still a fraction but its improper and in order to make it proper you must make it a mixed number.
It is similar because you have to always have the same numerator in adding or subtracting fractions. Adding fractions and subtracting mixed numbers is different because when u have a mixed number you have to simplify it to its lowest terms to make it easy to tell if it's a whole number or mixed.
example: 2 1/2 + 3/2= 4 now u know its a whole number but as a mixed number that would be 8/2
