{"id":43243,"date":"2025-03-14T14:50:31","date_gmt":"2025-03-14T06:50:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/?p=43243"},"modified":"2026-04-15T14:56:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T06:56:23","slug":"how-to-subtract-fractions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/how-to-subtract-fractions-post-43243\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Subtract Fractions: A Complete Guide for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Subtracting fractions can be daunting for some pupils, but it is a fundamental math skill they must master. If you think how to subtract fractions<\/strong> sounds difficult, then this guide WuKong Education<\/a> can help you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to learn how to add and subtract fractions<\/strong>, how to subtract mixed fractions<\/strong>, how to subtract fractions with like denominators and unlike denominators from whole numbers, and more about subtracting fractions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fractions\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>What are Fractions?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fractions are numerical values that represent parts of a whole. Fractions consist of two parts, the numerator and the denominator. The top part of the fraction is called the numerator and the bottom part is called the denominator.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Discovering the maths whiz in every child,
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Suitable for students worldwide, from grades 1 to 12.<\/p>\r\n \r\n Get started free!\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

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Discovering the maths whiz in every child,
\nthat’s what we do.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/h3>\r\n

Suitable for students worldwide, from grades 1 to 12.<\/p>\r\n \r\n Get started free!\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

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For example, 2\/3 is a fraction. Here, 2 is the numerator and 3 is the denominator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Types of fractions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Based on the numerator and the denominator, there are different types of fractions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proper Fraction:<\/strong> In a proper fraction, the numerator is smaller than the denominator. For example: 3\/7, 2\/7, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improper Fraction:<\/strong> In improper fractions, the numerator is greater than the denominator. For example: 9\/7, 11\/9, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mixed Fraction:<\/strong> A mixed fraction is a combination of a positive fraction and a whole number. For example: 2 \u2158\u30014 \u2154.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like Fractions:<\/strong> Fractions with the same denominator are called similar fractions. For example, 9\/2, 5\/2, 7\/2, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike Fractions:<\/strong> Fractions with different denominators are called unlike fractions. Examples: 2\/7, 2\/9, 3\/11, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unit Fraction: <\/strong>In a unit fraction, the numerator should be equal to 1. For example, 1\/3, 1\/4, 1\/5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Equivalent Fractions:<\/strong> Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent the same value. If we multiply or divide the numerator and denominator by the same value, we get equivalent fractions, such as 2\/4, 4\/8, 8\/16, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related fractional terms definitions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before we jump into further steps for subtracting fractions, adding fractions, etc., let’s first cover some basic terms that you’ll come across.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common denominator:<\/strong> When two or more fractions have the same denominator, they are common denominator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common factor:<\/strong> Factors are numbers we multiply together to get another number. When we find the factors of two or more numbers and then find some factors are “common”, then they are called common factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Least common multiple (LCM):<\/strong> The least common multiple is the smallest number that is divisible by both denominators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greatest common divisor (GCD): <\/strong>The greatest common divisor is the greatest number that will divide a given set of numbers equally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simplify:<\/strong> In mathematics, simplifying or simplification is when you reduce the expression, fraction, problem, or result to its simplest form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>What is Subtracting Fractions?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before we formally learn how to subtract fractions, let’s think about this question: What is Meant by Subtracting Fractions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Mathematics, subtracting fractions means the process of the subtraction of two fractional values. We have learned to subtract the whole numbers<\/a>. For example, the subtraction of 5 from 7 results in 2. (i.e. 7 – 5 = 2). Similarly, we can perform subtraction operations on fractions. Subtracting fractions includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n