Subtracting Fractions
Subtracting fractions
This is a topic useful to an electrician working with building plans. Many
times a measurement can be calculated by subtracting one measurement from
another. They almost always involve fractions.
Example, what is 25 feet 4 1/2 inches minus 11 feet 5 1/8 inch equal?
So it is 25 feet 4.5 inches minus 11 feet 5.125 inches.
Or, 24 feet 16.5 inches minus 11 feet 5.125 inches
Answer 13 feet 11.375 inches.
HERE are practice problems on this topic.
Listen to an audio file on this topic HERE.
Fractions can also be
subtracted while being left as fractions. Here is an example.
The steps for subtracting
fractions are the same as for addition. The only difference is substituting
subtraction for addition. If we wish to subtract 1/8 from 4/8, we can follow the
steps outlined above.
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Determine whether the
fractions have the same denominator. If the denominators are the
same, move to step 4.
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They
are the same, so we can skip to step 4.
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Subtract the
numerators of the fractions.
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Simplify the
resulting fraction.
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This
fraction, 8/3, is in its simplest form.
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As you can see, addition and
subtraction of fractions is similar to adding and subtracting whole numbers. The
important point is to be sure the fractions being added or subtracted have the
same denominator.
You should now know how to add,
subtract, multiply and divide fractions. Try the practice below to be sure you
understand how to perform these operations on fractions.
Find a practice worksheet HERE.
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Listen to an audio file on this topic HERE.
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