How To Subtract Improper Fractions

There are 3 simple steps to subtract fractions step 1.

How to subtract improper fractions. List multiples of the denominators if necessary. Subtracting mixed numbers when the denominators are different is just about the hairiest thing you re ever going to have to do in pre algebra. Multiply the whole number part by the fraction s denominator. The value of the fraction is less than 1 for example frac 7 9.

Step 1 draw a square with 5 columns 5 is the denominator of the first fraction and a square with 4 rows 4 is the denominator of the second fraction. Simplify the fraction if needed. Make sure the bottom numbers the denominators are the same step 2. To simplify an improper fraction you must turn it into a mixed number which includes a whole number and a fraction together.

So all you have to do to finish the problem is write your answer clearly. Then subtract the fractions and simplify. Step 2 colour 3. If they don t have common denominators then find a common denominator and use it to rewrite each fraction.

The number of times you can divide the numerator evenly by the denominator will be the whole number of your mixed number. Subtract the top numbers the numerators. Suppose you want to subtract 15 4 11 12 3 7. In this case your answer 1 4 is already in lowest terms so you can t reduce or simplify it.

If the denominators of your fractions aren t the same you ll need to make them the same. 6 4 5 4 1 4. Put the answer over the same denominator. Give your answer as both an improper fraction and a mixed fraction.

Proper fraction the numerator is smaller than the denominator. Adding subtracting improper fractions sheet 1 add or subtract the fractions then simplify the answer if needed. The value of the fraction is greater than 1 for example frac 9 7. Multiply both the numerator and denominator to get like denominators.

How do you subtract mixed fractions with different denominators by converting to improper fractions. And because it s no longer an improper fraction you also can t convert it to a mixed number. To convert a mixed fraction to an improper fraction follow these steps. Once you ve found the lowest common multiple for your unlike.

You could first convert each to an improper fraction. Because the denominators are different subtracting the fractions becomes more difficult. Add that to the numerator then write the result on top of the denominator.