Let’s solve each problem step by step. We’re subtracting mixed numbers with fractions — sometimes we need to borrow from the whole number if the top fraction is smaller than the bottom one.
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1) 6 1/4 - 4 1/2
Convert to common denominator: 1/2 = 2/4
So: 6 1/4 - 4 2/4 → Can’t subtract 2/4 from 1/4, so borrow 1 from 6 → becomes 5 + 5/4 (since 1 = 4/4, 4/4 + 1/4 = 5/4)
Now: 5 5/4 - 4 2/4 = (5 - 4) + (5/4 - 2/4) = 1 + 3/4 =
1 3/4
✔ Check: 4 1/2 + 1 3/4 = 4 + 1 + 2/4 + 3/4 = 5 + 5/4 = 5 + 1 1/4 = 6 1/4 ✔️
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2) 9 1/2 - 1 1/4
Common denominator: 1/2 = 2/4
So: 9 2/4 - 1 1/4 = (9 - 1) + (2/4 - 1/4) = 8 + 1/4 =
8 1/4
✔ Check: 1 1/4 + 8 1/4 = 9 2/4 = 9 1/2 ✔️
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3) 11 3/4 - 7 1/4
Same denominator: 3/4 - 1/4 = 2/4 = 1/2
Whole numbers: 11 - 7 = 4
So: 4 + 1/2 =
4 1/2
✔ Check: 7 1/4 + 4 1/2 = 7 + 4 + 1/4 + 2/4 = 11 + 3/4 ✔️
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4) 7 1/4 - 5 5/16
Common denominator: 1/4 = 4/16
So: 7 4/16 - 5 5/16 → Can’t subtract 5/16 from 4/16 → borrow 1 from 7 → becomes 6 + 20/16 (since 1 = 16/16, 16/16 + 4/16 = 20/16)
Now: 6 20/16 - 5 5/16 = (6 - 5) + (20/16 - 5/16) = 1 + 15/16 =
1 15/16
✔ Check: 5 5/16 + 1 15/16 = 5 + 1 + 5/16 + 15/16 = 6 + 20/16 = 6 + 1 4/16 = 7 4/16 = 7 1/4 ✔️
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5) 7 1/2 - 5 3/8
Common denominator: 1/2 = 4/8
So: 7 4/8 - 5 3/8 = (7 - 5) + (4/8 - 3/8) = 2 + 1/8 =
2 1/8
✔ Check: 5 3/8 + 2 1/8 = 7 + 4/8 = 7 1/2 ✔️
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6) 7 9/16 - 3 3/4
Common denominator: 3/4 = 12/16
So: 7 9/16 - 3 12/16 → Can’t subtract 12/16 from 9/16 → borrow 1 from 7 → becomes 6 + 25/16 (16/16 + 9/16 = 25/16)
Now: 6 25/16 - 3 12/16 = (6 - 3) + (25/16 - 12/16) = 3 + 13/16 =
3 13/16
✔ Check: 3 12/16 + 3 13/16 = 6 + 25/16 = 6 + 1 9/16 = 7 9/16 ✔️
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7) 5 13/16 - 2 1/8
Common denominator: 1/8 = 2/16
So: 5 13/16 - 2 2/16 = (5 - 2) + (13/16 - 2/16) = 3 + 11/16 =
3 11/16
✔ Check: 2 2/16 + 3 11/16 = 5 + 13/16 ✔️
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8) 4 3/8 - 2 1/2
Common denominator: 1/2 = 4/8
So: 4 3/8 - 2 4/8 → Can’t subtract 4/8 from 3/8 → borrow 1 from 4 → becomes 3 + 11/8 (8/8 + 3/8 = 11/8)
Now: 3 11/8 - 2 4/8 = (3 - 2) + (11/8 - 4/8) = 1 + 7/8 =
1 7/8
✔ Check: 2 4/8 + 1 7/8 = 3 + 11/8 = 3 + 1 3/8 = 4 3/8 ✔️
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9) 7 3/16 - 5 5/8
Common denominator: 5/8 = 10/16
So: 7 3/16 - 5 10/16 → Can’t subtract 10/16 from 3/16 → borrow 1 from 7 → becomes 6 + 19/16 (16/16 + 3/16 = 19/16)
Now: 6 19/16 - 5 10/16 = (6 - 5) + (19/16 - 10/16) = 1 + 9/16 =
1 9/16
✔ Check: 5 10/16 + 1 9/16 = 6 + 19/16 = 6 + 1 3/16 = 7 3/16 ✔️
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10) 11 1/2 - 5 1/2
Same denominator: 1/2 - 1/2 = 0
Whole numbers: 11 - 5 = 6
So:
6
✔ Check: 5 1/2 + 6 = 11 1/2 ✔️
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Final Answer:
1) 1 3/4
2) 8 1/4
3) 4 1/2
4) 1 15/16
5) 2 1/8
6) 3 13/16
7) 3 11/16
8) 1 7/8
9) 1 9/16
10) 6
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of 7th grade fraction worksheet.
