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Subtracting Fractions − When the denominator is different
There are four steps
-
Example 1. 1/2 − 1/4 =
-
Example 2. 5/6 − 2/3 =
![](https://www.developmaths.com/jpeg/Fractions/rectangle_add_1_1.jpg)
(a) Multiply the top and bottom of the first fraction by the second denominator.
(b) Multiply the top and bottom of the second fraction by the first denominator
![](https://www.developmaths.com/jpeg/Fractions/rectangle_add_1_2.jpg)
(c) subtract the numerators
= 2/8
![](https://www.developmaths.com/jpeg/Fractions/rectangle_add_sub_1_3.jpg)
(d) write fraction in its simplest form
= 1/4
![](https://www.developmaths.com/jpeg/Fractions/rectangle_add_sub_1_4.jpg)
![](https://www.developmaths.com/jpeg/Fractions/rectangle_add_2_1.jpg)
(a) Multiply the top and bottom of the first fraction by the second denominator.
(b) Multiply the top and bottom of the second fraction by the first denominator
![](https://www.developmaths.com/jpeg/Fractions/rectangle_add_2_2.jpg)
(c) subtract the numerators
= 3/18
![](https://www.developmaths.com/jpeg/Fractions/rectangle_add_sub_2_3.jpg)
(d) write fraction in its simplest form
= 1/6
![](https://www.developmaths.com/jpeg/Fractions/rectangle_add_sub_2_4.jpg)
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