Subtracting mixed numbers - Definition with Examples

Subtracting Mixed Numbers

Fractions which are more than a whole are known as mixed fractions or mixed numbers.

For instance: Nicholas has 3 chocolates, and each chocolate has 3 bars. He eats 7 bars of chocolate, which means 2 whole chocolates and 1 bar of the third chocolate.

Real life examples of Subtracting mixed numbers:

How to Subtracting mixed numbers?

Case 1: Subtracting mixed numbers with same denominators

Follow the given steps to subtract mixed numbers with same denominators:

Step 1- Subtract the wholes.                 

Step 2- Convert the fractions into improper fractions.

Step 3- Subtract the fraction.

Step 4- Change the improper fraction into a mixed number if needed.

Step 5- Write the mixed number with wholes and the fraction.

Example 1: 5 ⁷⁄₃ - 3 ²⁄₃

Step 1 - Subtract 3 from 5.

              5 - 3 =2

Step 2 - Subtract the fractions:

             ⁷⁄₃ - ²⁄₃

Step 3 - Write the fraction with whole.

              5 ⁷⁄₃ - 3 ²⁄₃ = 2 ⁵⁄₃ 

Case 2: Subtracting mixed numbers with different denominators

Follow the given steps to subtract mixed numbers with different denominators:

Step 1- Convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions.

Step 2- Find the common multiple of both the denominators.

Step 3- Convert the fractions as common denominators.

Step 4- Solve the fractions.

Step 5- Convert the fraction as a mixed number.

Example 2: 6 ¹⁄₂ - 1 ³⁄₄

Step 1- Convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions.

             1 ³⁄₂ - ⁷⁄₄

Step 2- Find the common multiple of both the denominators 2 and 4.

Common multiple of 2 and 4 is 4. 

Step 3- Convert the fractions as common denominators.

Step 4- Solve the fractions

               ²⁶⁄₄ - ⁷⁄₄ = ¹⁹⁄₄

Step 5- Convert the fraction as a mixed number.

                ¹⁹⁄₄ = 4 ³⁄₄