line up the problems vertically (i’ll use the same problem)

+8

– 4 5/6

———–

now I draw a line between the whole numbers and the fraction part and make it two different problems

+8 !

– 4 ! 5/6

—————

Since 8 has nothing to the right of it, you can assume it is a zero. You cannot subtract 5/6 from 0, so you need to borrow one from the 8

+7 ! 1

– 4 ! 5/6

—————

now, you need a common denominator (which is 6) and 1 is 6/6

+7 ! 6/6

– 4 ! 5/6

—————

(3) (1/6)

Now you can just subtract

5/6 from 6/6 is 1/6 and 4 from 7 is 3; there is your answer (in the parenthesis above) 3 1/6.

Note: I rewrote the problem to show each step, you do not have to do this. You can just cross out each time. I did it to make it easier for you to see each step.

Also note: this works for adding mixed numbers

Another note: I did a preview and things were not lining up correctly for the vertical line – thus the + in front of the 8 – just to make it easier for you to read

Good luck

You should change both numbers to improper fractions and then do the subtraction.

example: 8 – 4 5/6

Change the mixed fraction first. Multiply the denominator by the whole number portion and add that to the numerator.

6*4 = 24

24 + 5 = 29

That’s your new numerator. So 4 5/6 = 29/6

Change the whole number next. You want it to have the same denominator as your other term. Simply multiply your whole number by the denominator from the mixed fraction to get the numerator you need.

6*8 = 48

So the whole number 8 becomes 48/6.

Now you have 48/6 – 29/6. The numerator is 48-29 = 19, and the denominator stays the same. So the answer is 19/6.

If you need to, you can change that back into a mixed fraction. The 6 can go into 19 three times, with 1 left over 6*3 = 18

18+1 = 19

So you have enough to make a 3 with 1/6 left over. Your answer is 3 1/6.