Subtracting Fractions
There are 3 simple steps to subtract fractions.
1. Make sure the bottom numbers (the denominators) are the same
2. Subtract the top numbers (the numerators). Put the answer over the the same denominator as in step 1
3. Simplify the fraction.
Example 1
3 |
| 1 |
__ | – | __ |
4 |
| 4 |
Step 1. The bottom numbers are already the same. Go straight to step 2.
Step 2. Subtract the top numbers and put the answer over the same denominator.
3 |
| 1 |
| 3 – 1 |
| 2 |
__ | – | __ | = | ____ | = | __ |
4 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
Step 3. Simplify the fraction
2 |
| 1 |
__ | = | __ |
4 |
| 2 |
Example 2
1 |
| 1 |
__ | – | __ |
2 |
| 10 |
Step 1. The bottom numbers are now different. We need to make them the same.
|
1 |
| 5 |
__ | = | __ |
2 |
| 10 |
|
Step 2. Subtract the top numbers and put them over the same denominator.
5 |
| 1 |
| 5 – 1 |
| 4 |
__ | – | __ | = | ____ | = | __ |
10 |
| 10 |
| 10 |
| 10 |
Step 3. Simplify the fraction
4 |
| 2 |
__ | = | __ |
10 |
| 5 |
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