SUBTRACTING FRACTIONS WITH LIKE DENOMINATORS

The following steps will be useful to subtract fractions with like denominators.

Step 1 : 

When two fractions with the same denominator are subtracted, take the denominator once.  

Step 2 : 

Now, subtract the numerators and simplify, if required. 

Example 1 : 

Find the value of : 

1/5 - 2/5

Solution : 

1/5 - 2/5

The given two fractions have the same denominator. That is 5.

So, take the denominator once and subtract the numerators. 

=  (1 - 2) / 5

=  -1 / 5

Therefore, 

1/5 - 2/5  =  -1/5

Example 2 : 

Subtract 2/14 from 5 / 14.

Solution : 

5/14 - 2/14

The given two fractions have the same denominator. That is 14.

So, take the denominator once and subtract the numerators. 

=  (5 - 2) / 14

=  3 / 14

Therefore, 

5/14 - 2/14  =  3/14

Example 3 : 

Subtract 47/125 from 87/125.

Solution : 

87/125 - 47/125

The given two fractions have the same denominator. That is 125.

So, take the denominator once and subtract the numerators. 

=  (87 - 47) / 125

=  40 / 125

Simplify.

=  8 / 25

Therefore, 

87/125 - 47/125  =  8/25

Example 4 : 

Find the value of : 

1/5 + 2/5 - 2/5

Solution : 

1/5 + 2/5 - 2/5

The given fractions have the same denominator. That is 5.

So, take the denominator once and simplify the numerators. 

=  (1 + 2 - 2) / 5

=  1 / 5

Therefore, 

1/5 + 2/5 + 2/5  =  1/5

Example 5 : 

Find the value of : 

2/13 - 7/13 + 12/13 - 5/13

Solution : 

2/13 - 7/13 + 12/13 - 5/13

The given fractions have the same denominator. That is 13.

So, take the denominator once and simplify the numerators. 

=  (2 - 7 + 12 - 5) / 13

=  2 / 13

Therefore, 

2/13 - 7/13 + 12/13 - 5/13  =  2/13

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