- What are fractions?
- What is subtraction?
- 3 Easy steps for subtracting fractions
- Different types of fractions
- How Prodigy can help
- Printable subtracting fractions worksheet
What are fractions?
Fractions represent parts of a whole. When a whole number is broken up into different parts, a fraction shows how much of it you have.For example, the fraction ¾ indicates there are three of the four parts needed to make a whole number.
What is subtraction?
Subtraction involves taking the value of one number away from another. Subtraction is represented with a dash (-), or a minus symbol.
8 - 3 = ?
8 - 3 = 5
3 Easy steps for subtracting fractions
Subtracting fractions can be done in three easy steps:- Make the denominators the same
- Subtract the numerators, putting the answer over the same denominator
- Simplify if possible (and if required)
1. Make the denominators the same
To subtract fractions, the denominators in the equation need to be the same. When subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, teach your students to first find the lowest common denominator.Think of a fraction as part of a circle. Changing the denominators doesn’t change the amount of the circle students have, but rather the number of parts it’s being divided into.

2. Subtract the numerators, putting the answer over the same denominator
Now that the denominators are the same, tell your students to put both numerators over one denominator and simply subtract them from each other. This is to see how many parts of twelve are being subtracted from the original fraction.3. Simplify if possible (and if required)
Simplifying means reducing a fraction to its lowest possible multiple. Remember: what’s done to the denominator is also done to the numerator.Make sure you tell students if it’s required for them to simplify solutions. Some teachers don’t make it necessary to simplify solutions, while others don’t consider a question complete until the solution has been put to its simplest form. https://www.instagram.com/p/BuUAVYZDiBP/ When you teach fractions, make sure your students understand what your expectations are.To simplify a fraction, figure out its lowest common multiple. One quick way to do this is by seeing if the denominator can be divided by the numerator. In the example, four does indeed go into twelve. To simplify this equation, divide both the numerator and the denominator by four.Different types of fractions
Your students will encounter several different types of fractions throughout their studies, but the process for these problems remains almost entirely the same.Subtracting fractions with like denominators
Fraction equations with like denominators already have the first step of the three-step process done for them.Subtracting improper fractions
An improper fraction is when the numerator is greater than the denominator. This means there is more than one whole number within the fraction. Tell your students to imagine it as a complete circle along with an incomplete circle.
Subtracting fractions with mixed numbers
A mixed number, or mixed fraction, is made of both a whole number and a fraction. To solve equations with mixed numbers, teach your students to change it into an improper fraction first.
Subtracting fractions with whole numbers
Equations with whole numbers need to be changed into fractions. To turn a whole number into a fraction, make the whole number the numerator and then put it over a denominator of one.For example:How Prodigy can help teach subtracting fractions
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Adding and subtracting fractions worksheets
Worksheets are a great teaching tool to see how students are comprehending lessons. The only drawback is it can take a long time to mark worksheets from an entire class and give proper feedback to students.Here are some places where you can find worksheets (with answers) for your class:K5 Learning

DadsWorksheets.com

Math Drills

Conclusion: subtracting fractions
The process for subtracting fractions is quite similar to adding fractions. Teach your students they can solve these types of equations in three steps:- Make the denominators the same
- Subtract the numerators, putting them over one denominator
- Simplify if possible
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