Sample Problems on Subtracting Fractions
Various problems on subtracting fractions are,
Problem 1: Subtract 1/3 from 1/2.
Solution:
Find LCM of numbers 3 & 2
LCM of 3 & 2 is 6
So, to attain 6 as denominator, the multiplying factor for numerator and denominator for first fractional number is 2 and for second fractional number is 3
First Fractional Number: (1×2)/(3×2) = 2/6
Second Fractional Number: (1×3)/(2×3) = 3/6
= (1×3)/(2×3) – (1×2/3×2)
= (3/6) – (2/6)
= 1/6
Problem 2: Subtract 1/4 from 1/3.
Solution:
Find LCM of the numbers 4 & 3
LCM of 4 & 3 is 12
So, to attain 12 as denominator, the multiplying factor for numerator and denominator for first fractional number is 3 and for second fractional number is 4
First Fractional Number: (1×3)/(4×3) = 3/12
Second Fractional Number: (1×4)/(3×4) = 4/12
= [(1×4)/(3×4) – (1×3)/(4×3)]
= (4/12) – (3/12)
= 1/12
Problem 3: Subtract 1/4 from 1/2.
Solution:
Find LCM of the numbers 4 & 2
LCM of 4 & 2 is 4.
So, to attain 4 as denominator, the multiplying factor for numerator and denominator for first fractional number is 1 and for second fractional number is 2
First Fractional Number: (1×1)/(4×1) = 1/4
Second Fractional Number: (1×2)/(2×2) = 2/4
= [(1×2)/(2×2) – (1×1)/(4×1)]
= (2/4) – (1/4)
= 1/4
Problem 4: Subtract 1/5 from 1/2.
Solution:
Find LCM of the numbers 5 & 2
LCM of 5 & 2 is 10
So, to attain 10 as denominator, the multiplying factor for numerator and denominator for first fractional number is 2 and for second fractional number is 5
First Fractional Number: (1×2)/(5×2) = 2/10
Second Fractional Number: (1×5)/(2×5) = 5/10
= (5/10) – (2/10)
= 3/10
Subtracting Fractions
To subtract fractions, first check and find the common denominator, then subtract the numerators and simply the resultant fraction if possible. Subtracting fractions involves making the denominators (bottom number) same by finding the lowest common multiple of them and subtracting the numerators (top number) and finally simplifying the fraction if possible.
In this article, we will learn about, subtracting fractions, examples, and others in detail.
Table of Content
- How to Subtract Fractions?
- Subtracting Fractions with Unlike Denominators
- Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators
- Subtracting Fractions With Whole Numbers
- Mistakes While Subtracting Fractions