Let's solve each of these fraction subtraction problems step by step. The key to subtracting fractions is to find a
common denominator, then subtract the numerators.
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1. $ \frac{3}{6} - \frac{1}{7} $
- Simplify $ \frac{3}{6} = \frac{1}{2} $
- Now: $ \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{7} $
- LCD of 2 and 7 is
14
- Convert: $ \frac{1}{2} = \frac{7}{14}, \frac{1}{7} = \frac{2}{14} $
- Subtract: $ \frac{7}{14} - \frac{2}{14} = \frac{5}{14} $
✔ Answer: $ \frac{5}{14} $
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2. $ \frac{4}{5} - \frac{2}{3} $
- LCD of 5 and 3 is
15
- Convert: $ \frac{4}{5} = \frac{12}{15}, \frac{2}{3} = \frac{10}{15} $
- Subtract: $ \frac{12}{15} - \frac{10}{15} = \frac{2}{15} $
✔ Answer: $ \frac{2}{15} $
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3. $ \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{5} $
- LCD of 4 and 5 is
20
- Convert: $ \frac{1}{4} = \frac{5}{20}, \frac{1}{5} = \frac{4}{20} $
- Subtract: $ \frac{5}{20} - \frac{4}{20} = \frac{1}{20} $
✔ Answer: $ \frac{1}{20} $
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4. $ \frac{5}{6} - \frac{5}{11} $
- LCD of 6 and 11 is
66
- Convert: $ \frac{5}{6} = \frac{55}{66}, \frac{5}{11} = \frac{30}{66} $
- Subtract: $ \frac{55}{66} - \frac{30}{66} = \frac{25}{66} $
✔ Answer: $ \frac{25}{66} $
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5. $ \frac{5}{12} - \frac{3}{8} $
- LCD of 12 and 8 is
24
- Convert: $ \frac{5}{12} = \frac{10}{24}, \frac{3}{8} = \frac{9}{24} $
- Subtract: $ \frac{10}{24} - \frac{9}{24} = \frac{1}{24} $
✔ Answer: $ \frac{1}{24} $
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6. $ \frac{7}{8} - \frac{2}{5} $
- LCD of 8 and 5 is
40
- Convert: $ \frac{7}{8} = \frac{35}{40}, \frac{2}{5} = \frac{16}{40} $
- Subtract: $ \frac{35}{40} - \frac{16}{40} = \frac{19}{40} $
✔ Answer: $ \frac{19}{40} $
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7. $ \frac{4}{5} - \frac{6}{9} $
- Simplify $ \frac{6}{9} = \frac{2}{3} $
- Now: $ \frac{4}{5} - \frac{2}{3} $
- LCD of 5 and 3 is
15
- Convert: $ \frac{4}{5} = \frac{12}{15}, \frac{2}{3} = \frac{10}{15} $
- Subtract: $ \frac{12}{15} - \frac{10}{15} = \frac{2}{15} $
✔ Answer: $ \frac{2}{15} $
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8. $ \frac{3}{5} - \frac{3}{10} $
- LCD of 5 and 10 is
10
- Convert: $ \frac{3}{5} = \frac{6}{10} $
- Subtract: $ \frac{6}{10} - \frac{3}{10} = \frac{3}{10} $
✔ Answer: $ \frac{3}{10} $
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9. $ \frac{5}{8} - \frac{7}{24} $
- LCD of 8 and 24 is
24
- Convert: $ \frac{5}{8} = \frac{15}{24} $
- Subtract: $ \frac{15}{24} - \frac{7}{24} = \frac{8}{24} $
- Simplify: $ \frac{8}{24} = \frac{1}{3} $
✔ Answer: $ \frac{1}{3} $
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10. $ \frac{4}{6} - \frac{5}{18} $
- Simplify $ \frac{4}{6} = \frac{2}{3} $
- Now: $ \frac{2}{3} - \frac{5}{18} $
- LCD of 3 and 18 is
18
- Convert: $ \frac{2}{3} = \frac{12}{18} $
- Subtract: $ \frac{12}{18} - \frac{5}{18} = \frac{7}{18} $
✔ Answer: $ \frac{7}{18} $
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✔ Final Answers:
1. $ \frac{5}{14} $
2. $ \frac{2}{15} $
3. $ \frac{1}{20} $
4. $ \frac{25}{66} $
5. $ \frac{1}{24} $
6. $ \frac{19}{40} $
7. $ \frac{2}{15} $
8. $ \frac{3}{10} $
9. $ \frac{1}{3} $
10. $ \frac{7}{18} $
Let me know if you'd like this as a printable answer sheet!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of 4th grade adding subtracting unlike denominators worksheet.
