Subtracting mixed numbers - Free Printable

We are given the subtraction problem:

3¾ – 1⅞

This involves subtracting two mixed numbers. To solve this, we can follow these steps:

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Step 1: Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions

- 3¾ = (3 × 4 + 3)/4 = (12 + 3)/4 = 15/4
- 1⅞ = (1 × 8 + 7)/8 = (8 + 7)/8 = 15/8

So now the problem becomes:

> 15/4 – 15/8

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Step 2: Find a common denominator

The denominators are 4 and 8. The least common denominator (LCD) is 8.

Convert 15/4 to eighths:

> 15/4 = (15 × 2)/(4 × 2) = 30/8

Now the problem is:

> 30/8 – 15/8

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Step 3: Subtract the numerators

> 30 – 15 = 15

So,

> 30/8 – 15/8 = 15/8

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Step 4: Simplify the result (convert back to mixed number)

15 ÷ 8 = 1 with remainder 7

So,

> 15/8 = 1⅞

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✔ Final Answer: 1⅞

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Alternative Method (Subtracting Mixed Numbers Directly)

You could also subtract the whole numbers and fractions separately:

> 3¾ – 1⅞

First, subtract the whole numbers:
3 – 1 = 2

Then subtract the fractions:
¾ – ⅞

But ¾ is less than ⅞, so we need to borrow 1 from the whole number 2.

Borrow 1 from 2 → becomes 1, and add 4/4 to ¾ → ¾ + 4/4 = 7/4

Wait — that’s not right. Actually, since we’re dealing with eighths, let’s convert ¾ to eighths first:

¾ = 6/8

So now we have:

> 2 + 6/8 – 1 – 7/8 = (2 – 1) + (6/8 – 7/8) = 1 – 1/8

Since 6/8 – 7/8 = -1/8, we borrow 1 from the whole number 1:

> 1 – 1/8 = 0 + (8/8 – 1/8) = 7/8

Wait — that gives us 7/8, but earlier we got 1⅞. Something’s wrong here.

Let’s correct this approach:

Actually, starting over:

Original: 3¾ – 1⅞

Write it as:

> 3 + ¾ – (1 + ⅞) = (3 – 1) + (¾ – ⅞) = 2 + (¾ – ⅞)

Now, ¾ = 6/8, so:

> 6/8 – 7/8 = –1/8

So total = 2 – 1/8 = 1 + (1 – 1/8) = 1 + 7/8 = 1⅞

✔ Same answer!

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🎯 Final Answer: 1⅞