Subtracting Unlike Fractions worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve each of these problems step by step. The task is to subtract unlike fractions, which means the denominators are different. To subtract unlike fractions, we need to:

1. Find the Least Common Denominator (LCD) of the two fractions.
2. Convert each fraction to an equivalent fraction with the LCD as the denominator.
3. Subtract the numerators and keep the common denominator.
4. Simplify the result if possible.

---

Problem 1:

$$
\frac{1}{3} - \frac{1}{4}
$$

- LCD of 3 and 4 is 12.
- Convert:
$$
\frac{1}{3} = \frac{4}{12},\quad \frac{1}{4} = \frac{3}{12}
$$
- Subtract:
$$
\frac{4}{12} - \frac{3}{12} = \frac{1}{12}
$$

✔ Answer: $\frac{1}{12}$

---

Problem 2:

$$
\frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{3}
$$

- LCD of 2 and 3 is 6.
- Convert:
$$
\frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{6},\quad \frac{1}{3} = \frac{2}{6}
$$
- Subtract:
$$
\frac{3}{6} - \frac{2}{6} = \frac{1}{6}
$$

✔ Answer: $\frac{1}{6}$

---

Problem 3:

$$
\frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{5}
$$

- LCD of 4 and 5 is 20.
- Convert:
$$
\frac{1}{4} = \frac{5}{20},\quad \frac{1}{5} = \frac{4}{20}
$$
- Subtract:
$$
\frac{5}{20} - \frac{4}{20} = \frac{1}{20}
$$

✔ Answer: $\frac{1}{20}$

---

Problem 4:

$$
\frac{3}{4} - \frac{2}{5}
$$

- LCD of 4 and 5 is 20.
- Convert:
$$
\frac{3}{4} = \frac{15}{20},\quad \frac{2}{5} = \frac{8}{20}
$$
- Subtract:
$$
\frac{15}{20} - \frac{8}{20} = \frac{7}{20}
$$

✔ Answer: $\frac{7}{20}$

---

Problem 5:

$$
\frac{1}{5} - \frac{1}{7}
$$

- LCD of 5 and 7 is 35.
- Convert:
$$
\frac{1}{5} = \frac{7}{35},\quad \frac{1}{7} = \frac{5}{35}
$$
- Subtract:
$$
\frac{7}{35} - \frac{5}{35} = \frac{2}{35}
$$

✔ Answer: $\frac{2}{35}$

---

Problem 6:

$$
\frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{6}
$$

- LCD of 4 and 6 is 12.
- Convert:
$$
\frac{1}{4} = \frac{3}{12},\quad \frac{1}{6} = \frac{2}{12}
$$
- Subtract:
$$
\frac{3}{12} - \frac{2}{12} = \frac{1}{12}
$$

✔ Answer: $\frac{1}{12}$

---

Problem 7:

$$
\frac{2}{3} - \frac{1}{4}
$$

- LCD of 3 and 4 is 12.
- Convert:
$$
\frac{2}{3} = \frac{8}{12},\quad \frac{1}{4} = \frac{3}{12}
$$
- Subtract:
$$
\frac{8}{12} - \frac{3}{12} = \frac{5}{12}
$$

✔ Answer: $\frac{5}{12}$

---

Problem 8:

$$
\frac{3}{5} - \frac{2}{4}
$$

First simplify $\frac{2}{4} = \frac{1}{2}$, so:
$$
\frac{3}{5} - \frac{1}{2}
$$

- LCD of 5 and 2 is 10.
- Convert:
$$
\frac{3}{5} = \frac{6}{10},\quad \frac{1}{2} = \frac{5}{10}
$$
- Subtract:
$$
\frac{6}{10} - \frac{5}{10} = \frac{1}{10}
$$

✔ Answer: $\frac{1}{10}$

---

Problem 9:

$$
\frac{3}{4} - \frac{3}{5}
$$

- LCD of 4 and 5 is 20.
- Convert:
$$
\frac{3}{4} = \frac{15}{20},\quad \frac{3}{5} = \frac{12}{20}
$$
- Subtract:
$$
\frac{15}{20} - \frac{12}{20} = \frac{3}{20}
$$

✔ Answer: $\frac{3}{20}$

---

Problem 10:

$$
\frac{5}{6} - \frac{1}{4}
$$

- LCD of 6 and 4 is 12.
- Convert:
$$
\frac{5}{6} = \frac{10}{12},\quad \frac{1}{4} = \frac{3}{12}
$$
- Subtract:
$$
\frac{10}{12} - \frac{3}{12} = \frac{7}{12}
$$

✔ Answer: $\frac{7}{12}$

---

✔ Final Answers:

1. $\frac{1}{12}$
2. $\frac{1}{6}$
3. $\frac{1}{20}$
4. $\frac{7}{20}$
5. $\frac{2}{35}$
6. $\frac{1}{12}$
7. $\frac{5}{12}$
8. $\frac{1}{10}$
9. $\frac{3}{20}$
10. $\frac{7}{12}$

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or visual explanation!