Subtraction of fractions

Go down deep enough into anything and you will find mathematics.  ~Dean Schlicter

Fraction subtraction is similar to addition only. Every fraction simplification involves making denominator equal.

Let us try one example.

Ex1 : 1/2 - 1/4 = ?

           = (1x2)/(2x2) - 1/4 ( now both denominators are same i.e. 4)

           = 2/4 - 1/4 = 1/4

Ex2 : 1/3 - 1/4 - 1/6 = ?

           = (1x4)/(3x4) - (1x3)/(4x3) - (1x2)/(2x6) ( now all denominators are same)

           =      4/12 - 3/12 - 2/12 = -1/12

In the above example, how to conclude that we need to make all denominators to 12.

LCM of 3, 4 and 6 is 12. 

As I mentioned in LCM post, you can find this very easily. Please look into LCM post to know more details.

In next post we will do fraction simplification. We will try more examples...