Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators

Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators Subtraction is one of the basic arithmetic operations in math. Subtracting is finding the difference of the given numbers or quantities. Subtraction is denoted by the sign -. In subtraction order of the number is important. Fraction is usually written in the p/q form. Here p is the numerator and q is the denominator. The denominator of a fraction cannot be equal to zero i.e. q not equal to zero. For Subtracting two fractions with different denominators the LCM needs to be calculated. Example 1: Simplify and find the answer by subtracting the two fraction numbers 1/2 1/8? Solution: Given is to find the difference of 1/2 1/6. The fractions have unlike denominator. So the LCM of 2 and 8 = 8. The fractions are written using the LCM = 1/2 1/8 = 4/8 1/8 = (4-1)/8 = 3/8. Therefore, this gives difference of the fractions 1/2 1/8 = 3/8. Question: Multiple choice question (Pick the correct option.) What is the difference of subtracting the two fractions 3/4 1/3? a) 7/12 b) 5/12 c) 1/12 d) None of these. Correct answer: option b. Given is to find the difference of the fractions: 3/4 - 1/3. Here both the fractions have unlike denominators. The LCM of the denominators 3 and 4 is 12. The denominators can be made alike by the LCM 12. This gives, 3/4 1/3 = 9/12 - 4/12 = (9 4)/12 = 5/12. Therefore, this gives subtracting the two fractions 3/4 - 1/3 = 5/12.