Content code
m1615
Slug (identifier)
subtracting-fractions-elementary
Parent content
Fractions | Elementary
Grades
Grade 5
Grade 6
Equivalent file in the opposite grade group
Subtracting Fractions
Topic
Mathematics
Content
Title (level 2)
5th and 6th Grade
Title slug (identifier)
fifth-and-sixth-grade
Contenu
Contenu
Title
How to Subtract Fractions with Common Denominators
Content
Corps

To subtract fractions with common denominators, you simply subtract the numerators and keep the same denominator for the answer.

Content
Image
Example of subtracting fractions with a common denominator
Title
How to Subtract Fractions when the Denominator of One Is a Multiple of the Other
Content
Corps

When the fractions have different denominators, you have to find a common denominator and then convert the fractions so they remain equivalent.

Content
Corps

To subtract fractions when the denominator of one is a multiple of the other, follow these steps.

  1. I identify the fraction with the smallest denominator.

  2. I find the number to multiply the denominator by in order to get the same denominator as the other fraction.

  3. I multiply the numerator by the same number.

  4. I rewrite the subtraction with the converted fraction.

  5. I subtract the numerators only.

  6. I write the answer using the same denominator as the subtracted fractions.

Content
Corps

Make sure to read the given instructions carefully because sometimes the answer may have to be expressed as a mixed number or as an irreducible fraction.

Content
Image
Example of subtracting fractions with different denominators-1
Corps

  1. I identify the fraction with the smallest denominator.

    The fraction with the smallest denominator is |\dfrac{1}{2}|.

 image

  1. I find the number to multiply this denominator by in order to get the denominator as the other fraction.

    Multiply |2| by |2| to get |4|.

 Exemple d’une soustraction de fractions dont les dénominateurs sont différents-3

  1. I multiply the numerator by the same number.

    |1 × 2 = 2|

 Exemple d’une soustraction de fractions dont les dénominateurs sont différents-4

  1. I rewrite the subtraction with the converted fraction.

 Exemple d’une soustraction de fractions dont les dénominateurs sont différents-5

  1. I subtract the numerators only.

    |2 - 1 = 1|

 Exemple d’une soustraction de fractions dont les dénominateurs sont différents-6

  1. I write the answer using the same denominator as the subtracted fractions.

 Exemple d’une soustraction de fractions dont les dénominateurs sont différents-7
Image
Example of subtracting fractions with different denominators-8
Title
How to Subtract Fractions with Different Denominators Using the LCM
Content
Corps

When the fractions have different denominators, you have to find a common (identical) denominator and then convert the fractions so that they stay equivalent.

Content
Corps

To subtract fractions with different denominators using the LCM, follow these steps.

  1. I find the least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators.

  2. I find the number to multiply the denominator of the fraction by to get the LCM.

  3. I multiply the numerator of the fraction by the same number.

  4. I rewrite the subtraction with the converted fractions.

  5. I subtract the numerators only.

  6. I write in the answer using the same denominator as the subtracted fractions.

Content
Corps

Make sure to read the given instructions carefully because sometimes the answer may have to be expressed as a mixed number or as an irreducible fraction.

Content
Image
Example of subtracting fractions using LCM-1
Corps

  1. I find the lowest common multiple (LCM) of the denominators.

    To learn how to find the LCM, I can read the concept sheet Least Common Multiple (LCM).

    The least common multiple of |12| and |4| is |12|. I have to find equivalent fractions with a denominator of |12|.

 Exemple de soustraction de fractions à l’aide du PPCM-2

  1. I find the number to multiply the denominator of the fraction by to get the LCM.

    The denominator of the fraction |\dfrac{6}{12}| is already over |12|. I only have to convert the fraction |\dfrac{1}{4}|.

    I have to multiply |4| by |3| to get |12|.

 Exemple de soustraction de fractions à l’aide du PPCM-3

  1. I multiply the numerator of the fraction by the same number.

    |1\times 3 = 3|

 Exemple de soustraction de fractions à l’aide du PPCM-4

  1. I rewrite the subtraction with the converted fractions.

 Exemple de soustraction de fractions à l’aide du PPCM-5

  1. I subtract the numerators.

    |6 - 3 = 3|

 Exemple de soustraction de fractions à l’aide du PPCM-6

  1. I write the answer using the same denominator as the subtracted fractions.

 Exemple de soustraction de fractions à l’aide du PPCM-7
Image
Example subtracting fractions using LCM-8
Video
La soustraction de fractions (5e et 6e année)
Contenu
Title
See Also
Content
Links
Type
Internal
Title
Representing Fractions
Internal link
Type
Internal
Title
Equivalent Fractions
Internal link
/en/students/vl/mathematics/equivalent-fractions-elementary-m1603
Type
Internal
Title
Mixed Numbers
Internal link
/en/students/vl/mathematics/mixed-numbers-elementary-m1654
Type
Internal
Title
Irreducible Fractions
Internal link
/en/students/vl/mathematics/irreducible-fractions-elementary-m1605
Type
Internal
Title
Adding Fractions
Internal link
/en/students/vl/mathematics/adding-fractions-elementary-m1614
Type
Internal
Title
Finding a Missing Term in a Multiplication
Internal link
/en/students/vl/mathematics/finding-missing-term-multiplication-elementary-m1632
Remove audio playback
No