The method of subtracting fractions and whole numbers is very similar to the one we use for addition.
For example, suppose that we want to find the value of We first write as an improper fraction:
Then, we put this fraction over a denominator of by multiplying the numerator and denominator by :
So now, we have to find:
To subtract two fractions with like denominators, we subtract the numerators and keep the denominators the same.
So our final answer is
We can always check our answer using a fraction model:
What is expressed as an improper fraction?
To subtract from , we need to express the whole number as an equivalent fraction with a denominator of
First, we write as an improper fraction:
Then, we put this fraction over a denominator of by multiplying the numerator and denominator by :
So now, we have to find:
To subtract two fractions with like denominators, we subtract the numerators and keep the denominators the same:
What is $2-\dfrac{4}{7}?$
a
|
$\dfrac{8}{7}$ |
b
|
$\dfrac{12}{7}$ |
c
|
$\dfrac{9}{7}$ |
d
|
$\dfrac{10}{7}$ |
e
|
$\dfrac{11}{7}$ |
$1 - \dfrac{5}{7} = $
a
|
$\dfrac{5}{7}$ |
b
|
$\dfrac{3}{7}$ |
c
|
$\dfrac{1}{7}$ |
d
|
$\dfrac{4}{7}$ |
e
|
$\dfrac{2}{7}$ |
What is expressed as a mixed number?
To subtract from , we need to express the whole number as an equivalent fraction with a denominator of
First, we write as an improper fraction:
Then, we put this fraction over a denominator of by multiplying the numerator and denominator by :
So now, we have to find:
To subtract two fractions with like denominators, we subtract the numerators and keep the denominators the same:
Finally, we convert to a mixed number:
So our final answer is
Expressed as a mixed number, what is $\dfrac{17}{3}-4?$
a
|
$3\,\dfrac{1}{3}$ |
b
|
$1\,\dfrac{2}{3}$ |
c
|
$2\,\dfrac{1}{3}$ |
d
|
$2\,\dfrac{2}{3}$ |
e
|
$1\,\dfrac{1}{3}$ |
$3-\dfrac{2}{5}=$
a
|
$2\,\dfrac{3}{5}$ |
b
|
$3\,\dfrac{1}{5}$ |
c
|
$2\,\dfrac{1}{5}$ |
d
|
$2\,\dfrac{2}{5}$ |
e
|
$3\,\dfrac{2}{5}$ |
Julia had liters of orange juice, but she accidentally spilled liters of juice. Expressed as a mixed number, how much juice is left?
To find out how much juice is left, we have to calculate the difference
To subtract from , we need to express the whole number as an equivalent fraction with a denominator of
First, we write as an improper fraction:
Then, we put this fraction over a denominator of by multiplying the numerator and denominator by :
So now, we have to find:
To subtract two fractions with like denominators, we subtract the numerators and keep the denominators the same:
Finally, we convert to a mixed number:
Therefore, liters of juice is left.
George went to the beach with his family in a car. Along the way, George stopped at a store and bought $3$ kilograms of almonds. When they arrived, $\dfrac{7}{5}$ kilograms remained. Expressed as a mixed number, how many kilograms of almonds did George and his family eat on their way to the beach?
a
|
$2 \, \dfrac{4}{5}$ kilograms |
b
|
$1 \, \dfrac{4}{5}$ kilograms |
c
|
$1 \, \dfrac{1}{5}$ kilograms |
d
|
$1 \, \dfrac{3}{5}$ kilograms |
e
|
$2 \, \dfrac{2}{5}$ kilograms |
Jeremy decides to visit a Zoo that is $4$ miles away from his home, on a straight road. After leaving home, Jeremy travels for $\dfrac{3}{8}$ miles and stops at a convenience store to buy ice cream. What is the distance from the store to the Zoo?
a
|
$3\,\dfrac 3 4$ miles |
b
|
$3\,\dfrac 5 8$ miles |
c
|
$3\,\dfrac 3 8$ miles |
d
|
$3\,\dfrac 1 2$ miles |
e
|
$3\,\dfrac 7 8$ miles |