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How to Subtract Fractions?

How to subtract fractions?

Step 1: Express the fractions using a common denominator. When one denominator is a multiple of the other (for example, 2 and 4), use the bigger denominator.
Step 2: Create equivalent fractions by making the denominator common.
Step 3: Subtract the numerators and leave the denominator as is.
Step 4: Simplify fractions if required.

For better understanding follow the word problem below.

1. Subtract
2
5
from
3
5
.

  
3
5
−
2
5

=
3 - 2
5

=
1
5

2. Mrs. Chopra had a cake.
     She gave
1
2
of the cake to Nadia and
3
10
of the cake to Nancy.
     Who received more? How much more?

1/2 of a cake is 5/10, compared with 3/10
When the fractions to be subtracted have different denominators, we must first change them to equivalent fractions with the same denominator.

Nadia:
1
2
=
5
10

Nancy:
3
10


5
10
is greater than
3
10

So, Nadia received more cake than Nancy.

    
1
2
−
3
10

=
5
10
−
3
10

=
2
10

=
1
5
(We must give our answer in the simplest form)

Nadia received
1
5
more of the cake than Nancy.

3. Josh and Halle bought a pizza.
     Josh ate
1
3
of the pizza and Halle ate
7
12
of the pizza.
     What fraction of the pizza was left?

Josh:
1
3
=
4
12

Halle:
7
12


     1 −
4
12
−
7
12

=
12
12
−
4
12
−
7
12

=
1
12


1
12
of the pizza was left.
Try 3 questions