Subtraction is an arithmetic operation utilized when one number is subtracted from another. It is the inverse of addition. Subtraction consists of a minuend, a minus sign and a subtrahend. The minuend is the first number, which is followed by the minus or operation sign. On the right side of the minus sign is the subtrahend. To the right of the subtrahend is the equal sign which is followed by the difference or answer. The minuend must always be greater than the subtrahend. Subtraction of fractions works in the same manner. For example, 4 2/4 (minuend)-2 1/4 (subtrahend) = 2 1/4 (difference). In order to subtract a fraction where the fraction in the minuend is greater than the subtrahend, we must borrow from the whole number in the minuend to rename the fraction.
Instructions
Subtract Fractions With Borrowing
1. Borrow one from the whole number (3) in the minuend (3 1/6). We will use 3 1/6- 1 2/6 as our working example. 3-1=2, so 2 is our new whole number.
2. Look at the denominator. In this case, the denominator is 6 in our working example. This denominator (6) will be the number you use when renaming the one you borrowed from the whole number (3) in the minuend (3 1/6).
3. Rename the one as a fraction with the same numerator and the denominator as the denominator (6) in the minuend (3 1/6). Because any number over itself is one, we can rename the one as 6/6 in this case. Now, we have 2 6/6 (the one we renamed)+1/6 as our minuend.
4. Add the two fractions in the minuend: 6/6+1/6=7/6. Now, we have 2 7/6 as our new minuend.
5. Subtract the whole number (1) in the subtrahend (1 2/6) from the whole number (2) in the new minuend (2 7/6). Since 2-1=1, we will have a 1 as our whole number in our answer.
6. Subtract the fraction in the subtrahend (2/6 in our working example) from the improper fraction (7/6) in the new minuend (2 7/6) in step four. We do this by subtracting the numerators and keeping the denominator the same. So, 7/6-2/6=5/6, which gives us an answer of 1 5/6. The 1 is from step 5 and 5/6 is from this step.
Tags: whole number, from whole, from whole number, number minuend, whole number minuend, working example