1. 3/4 – 2/3 When subtracting fractions find a common denominator(denominator is the lower or down number of fraction) between two or more fractions. Denominators for problem 1 is 4 and 3.

The top numbers involved are numerators which are 3 and 2 here.

To find the lowest common denominator chose a number both 4 and 3 can divide evenly into. Remember your multiplication tables or find a multiplication table. Also try counting by 3’s and 4’s. 3,6,9,12, continue on and use 4’s : 4,8,12 as high as needed. Write them on paper or type out both on different lines of paper and watch when you get to the same number in both counts. That is your least common denominator. This time it is 12.

Next step is to convert 3 over 4 into 12’ths. 4(denominator) is divided into 12. Which is 3. Next step is to multiple this answer times numerator. Also being a 3. Equals 9.

Now the fraction is 9 over 12.

Convert the fraction to be subtracted : 2 over 3 into 12th’s. Using the same method.

3 divided into 12 equals 4. 4 times 2 equals 8.(This step could use another description but I can not recall the reason)

I will give website that may help. www.eduplace.com/parent resource/homework/pdf.

Take the converted fractions and subtract numberators

9-8=1 1 over 12 is the answer.

For the second problem 2. 6 1/8 – 2 3/5 =?

To shorten some extra large number figuring taking one whole number from first “mixed fraction” , using 8/8’s as the one whole number added to 1/8th is 9/8th’s( add numerators of 1 over 8 plus 8 over 8 which is 9 over 8. Keep # 6 giving you 5 and 9/8 – 2 3/5=? Leave 2 and 3/5 as until finding the least common denominator for math problem 2.

Do the process again for these denominator numerals. By counting the multiples of each. Keep track of their closest exact number in each counting or multiplying sequence.

1 over 8 and 3 over 5 will mean you need to go further up the sequence of multiplications. Which is 40.

8 and 5 are the numbers to use in reaching lowest common denominator.

Recall 5 and 9/8 – 2 and 3/5 now will be 5 and 45/40 – 2 and 24/40=?

Now subtract Mixed number fractions: 5-2=3, and 45-24=21.

This gives your answer as 3 and 21 over 40 or

3 and 21/40. ( just a different way to write it using others characters. Hope this did not confuse the situation.

Post Script: 3 and 21/40 can be reduced to 3 and 3/5.

I hope it is clear. Asking questions is good. This is great to have a place to ask. I truly hope you will have more assistance if you need it. Please try again if this is not written in text easy. I am sure there are others who will help. And I will answer again if it is possible.

2) by doing the same thing in question 1 you get 5/40 and 24/40. since there is a whole number you can turn the whole number into a fraction by multiplying the whole number with the new denominator (40) and adding it to the numerator. so its 240/40 + 5/40 = 245/40

= 245/40 – 104/40

= 141/40

by simplifying you get 3 21/40

You must first find a common denominator: a number that both 4 and 3 go into evenly, because you can’t subtract fractions with different denominators. In this problem, the cd is 12.

4 goes into 12 – 3 times, so the new fraction is 9/12 , and 3 goes into 12 – 4 times, or 8/12. (You have to multiply the numerator by the same number you multiplied the denominator by.)The problem is 9/12- 8/12, which equals 1/12

2. 3 21/40

The first one you have to find a common denominator, which is 12. You get 12 by multiplying each fraction by the opposites denominator. so you take 3/4 and multiply it by 3 bcuz its the opposites denominator and then you get 9/12, do the same to the other one multiply 2/3 by 4 and you get 8/12. then you do 9/12-8/12 which is 1/12, now that the denominators are the same you dont do anything with them, they just carry over . when you add and subtract you need a common denominator, when you multiply and divide you do not, but thats something you will learn very soon. anyways good luck with fractions!, i hope you understood. you’ll eventually get the hang of them.

~find common denominator which is 12 (4*3)~

= 3*3/12 – 2*4/12

= 9/12 – 8/12

= -1/12 [negative 1 over 12]

6 1/8 – 2 3/5

~find common denominator which is 40 (8*5)~

= 6 1*5/40 – 2 3*8/40

= 6 5/40 – 2 24/40

~borrow from the 6 because 5/40 is less then 24/40~

= 5 5+40/40 – 2 24/40

= 5 45/40 – 2 24/40

~subtract fractions and whole numbers~

= 3 21/40

Since you can’t simplfy 21/40 then your answer is

3 21/40 [3 and 21 over 40]

The second one is 3 and 21/40.

To do these, you need to find common denominators, and then you subtract. Hope this helps!

1. 3/4 and 2/3 have 12 in common, therefore take 9/12 – 8/12 = 1/12.

2. Now try this one on your own. Good luck!

2. 4 and 9 over 40