Subtracting Fractions Worksheet

Subtracting fractions at a glance

We can subtract fractions using different methods. In order to subtract simple fractions with the same denominator, we just subtract the numerators and leave the denominator the same. For example, frac{3}{5} - frac{1}{5} = frac{2}{5} . If two fractions have different denominators, we need to rewrite them as equivalent fractions with a common denominator before we can subtract them.

To write fractions with a common denominator, the first step is to find a common multiple of the denominators. This could be the least common multiple or any other common multiple. We then need to find equivalent fractions to the originals with denominators equal to the common multiple. Once we have two fractions with like denominators, we can subtract the numerators, leaving the denominators the same. 

Mixed numbers can be subtracted in the same way as proper fractions. It is often easiest to write the mixed number as an improper fraction before following the same process as above. Once the fractions have been subtracted, any improper fraction can be written back as a whole number and a fraction.

Looking forward, students can then progress to additional adding and subtracting fractions worksheets and other number worksheets, for example a multiplying and dividing decimals worksheet or an order of operations worksheet.

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