How to Subtract Fractions From Whole Numbers

When subtracting fractions from whole numbers, the fractions are the subtrahends. Remember that the subtrahend is the number being subtracted. In order to subtract a fraction from a whole number, the whole number must be renamed as a mixed number.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Rename the whole number by subtracting one from the whole number and rewriting the whole number as the difference of the whole number minus one and the one as a fraction where the numerator and the denominator are the same. For instance, the whole number, 8 could be rewritten as 7and 5/5 since any number over itself is equivalent to one. You would choose the denominator in the fraction (subtrahend in this case) as the numerator and the denominator when rewriting one. We will use 6-3/4 as our working example. 6 would be renamed as the mixed number, 5 (6-1) and 4/4 (because 4 is the denominator in fraction of our working example). Now, we have 5 4/4-3/4.

2. Write the whole number from the mixed number (5 4/4) in step one. Continuing with our same working example, 5 4/4-3/4, we see that 5 is the whole number in the mixed number.

3. Subtract the numerator (3) in the fraction from the numerator (4) in the mixed number: 4-3=1. 1 is your new numerator. So far, we have 5 1/the denominator.

4. Keep the denominator (4) the same. Now, we have our answer: 5 ¼.

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