Lesson 16: Subtracting Fractions (Same Denominator)
Subtracting fractions with the same denominator is just as easy as adding — subtract the numerators and keep the denominator the same.
Steps to Subtract Fractions
- Make sure the denominators are the same.
- Subtract the numerators (top numbers).
- Keep the denominator (bottom number) the same.
- Simplify the result if possible.
Example
3/4 - 1/4 = (3 - 1)/4 = 2/4 ? Simplify ? 1/2
5/6 - 2/6 = 3/6 ? Simplify ? 1/2
Helpful Tips
Always check if the answer can be reduced to its simplest form.
Make sure the first numerator is larger than the second (no negatives yet!).
If you need a little extra help!