How to subtract fractions with mixed numbers

By | September 23, 2022

Subtraction of fractions simply means taking away one fraction from another fraction. Now fractions with mixed numbers are fractions with a whole number part and a fraction part. How to subtract fractions with mixed numbers. To subtract fractions with mixed numbers, follow the simple steps below.

How to subtract fractions with mixed numbers

Fractions are easily subtracted when they have a common denominator. So in subtracting fractions with mixed numbers, follow the simple steps below

Step1: Convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions.

Step2: Write the equivalent fraction of the given fractions. This is to help get the fraction in a common denominator. The best way to find the LCM of a given fraction is to find the LCM of their denominators.

Step3: After converting the unlike denominators of the fractions to like denominators, subtract their numerators and take them over the common denominator.

Step4: simplify the fraction to get the answer.

Now that we know the steps involved, let’s go straight to looking at an example.

\text{Example 1: perform the operation}\space 2\frac{1}{3}-1\frac{1}{4}\\
Answer: \text{first convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions}\space =2\frac{1}{3}-1\frac{1}{4}=\frac{(2×3)+1}{3}-\frac{(1×4)+1}{4}=\frac{6+1}{3}-\frac{4+1}{4}=\frac{7}{3}-\frac{5}{4}\\ \text{Since the LCM of 4 and 3 is 12. Hence }\space \frac{7}{3}-\frac{5}{4}=\frac{(7×4)-(5×3)}{12}=\frac{28-15}{12}=\frac{13}{12}=1\frac{1}{12}

This is pretty good, right? Let’s look at another example.

\text{Example 2: perform the operation}\space5\frac{1}{6}-1\frac{10}{12}.\\
Answer: \text{first convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions}\space5\frac{1}{6}-1\frac{10}{12}=\frac{(5×6)+1}{6}-\frac{(1×12)+10}{12}=\frac{30+1}{6}-\frac{12+10}{12}=\frac{31}{6}-\frac{22}{12}\\
\text{Since the LCM of 6 and 12 is 12}\space\frac{31}{6}-\frac{22}{12}=\frac{(31×2)-(22×1)}{12}=\frac{62-22}{12}=\frac{40}{12}=3\frac{4}{12}

READ:  Division of fractions with solved examples

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