Subtracting Mixed Fractions with Unlike Denominators
When subtracting mixed fractions with unlike denominators, follow these steps:
- Convert mixed fractions to improper fractions if they’re not already in that form.
- Find a common denominator for the fractions.
- Perform the subtraction by subtracting the numerators while keeping the common denominator.
- Simplify the resulting fraction if possible.
Let’s consider example of subtraction of a pair of mixed fraction with like denominators i.e., 7(6/9) and 3(2/5).
Step 1: Convert mixed fractions to improper fractions:
- [Tex]7\frac{6}{9} = \frac{7 \times 9}{9} + \frac{6}{9} = \frac{63}{9} + \frac{6}{9} = \frac{69}{9}[/Tex]
- [Tex]3\frac{2}{5} = \frac{3 \times 5}{5} + \frac{2}{5} = \frac{15}{5} + \frac{2}{5} = \frac{17}{5}[/Tex]
Step 2: Find a common denominator:
The least common multiple (LCM) of 9 and 5 is 45.
Step 3: Perform the subtraction:
[Tex]\frac{69}{9} – \frac{17}{5} = \frac{69 \times 5}{9 \times 5} – \frac{17 \times 9}{5 \times 9} = \frac{345}{45} – \frac{153}{45} = \frac{345 – 153}{45} = \frac{192}{45}[/Tex]
Step 4: Simplify the resulting fraction:
We can simplify [Tex]\frac{192}{45}[/Tex] by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 3.
[Tex]\frac{192}{45} = \frac{64}{15} = 4\frac{4}{15}[/Tex]
So, [Tex]7\frac{6}{9} – 3\frac{2}{5} = 4\frac{4}{15}[/Tex].
Subtracting Mixed Fractions
Subtracting Mixed Fractions is method of finding difference between two mixed fractions. Originally, these mixed fractions are improper fractions that expressed as a sum of whole number and a proper fraction. Suppose 5(2/6) – 3(1/6). Firstly, we have to convert them into improper fractions that will be 10/6 and 3/6. Now, we subtract 3/6 from 10/6, which gives 7/6, or in the mixed fraction, that will be 1(1/6).
In this article, we will learn about subtraction of mixed fractions along with basic introduction of mixed fraction.