ADDING Fractions



Ms Hilton’s Recipe for

SUBTRACTING (-) Fractions Easily

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Example: 1/3 - 2/8: has one pizza 3 pieces and another pizza has 8 pieces. BUT, the 3 pieces are bigger than the 8 pieces; they’re NOT equal! BUT they need to be equal before you can subtract.

Six steps for SUBTRACTING fractions easily:

First multiply (x) the bottoms (denominators) to find a COMMON DENOMINATOR: 3 x 8 = 24 which goes on the bottom of the answer: ?/24

Then multiply (x) the top then the bottom of the first fraction by the denominator of the second fraction, like this:

1x8=8 and 3x8=24 making 8/24

Now multiply (x) the top then bottom of the second fraction by the first denominator, like this: 2x3=6 and 8x3=24 making 6/24

Re-write the sum with the new fractions, like this:

1/3 - 2/8 is the same as 8/24 - 6/24

Subtract (-) the tops (numerators) of the new fractions to get the answer, like this: 8/24 – 6/24 = 2/24

Now write the answer in its simplest form, by finding a number that both 2 and 24 divide by; For example 2:-

24 ÷ 2 = 1/12

Your final answer will look like this: 1/3 – 2/8 = 1/12

Always subtract fractions like this, it works every time!

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The Numerator 1

3 The Denominator

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