Subtracting fractions
Start with a fraction, remove some equal-sized pieces, and see what remains. If the pieces are different sizes, make one familiar refinement first.
Six eighths take away two eighths
The pieces are already the same size. Start with six eighths and remove two of them.
The piece size stays the same
Three quarters take away one half
A half is not the same size as a quarter. Rewrite the half as two quarters before removing it.
What remains?
Look at the pieces, then choose the fraction left after subtraction.
Subtract familiar fractions
Try five new examples. Your answers feed into your Practice Lab log on this device.
Type the answer as a fraction, whole number or decimal. Equivalent fractions are accepted.
You have learned
When fraction pieces are the same size, keep that piece size and subtract the number of pieces.
If the pieces differ, use a familiar equivalent fraction first — such as changing one half into two quarters — then remove equal-sized pieces.