How to Subtract Fractions (Helpful Guide of the Year)
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In this article, you’ll learn how to subtract fractions with like and unlike denominators. You’ll also learn how to find the common denominator of a fraction. This method is also known as the butterfly method. By applying it, you’ll be able to find the lowest common denominator of a fraction.
What Is Butterfly Method?
The butterfly method is one of the best ways to add and subtract fractions, but it has one major drawback: it can only be used to add fractions with the same denominator. Students should not use the method to add fractions with multiple denominators because it cannot be done accurately. However, it is a good method to use for subtracting fractions with unlike denominations.
The butterfly method has two parts. The body is the top part of the butterfly, while the antennae are the bottom part. Once you have the body, you can add the denominators to arrive at the answer’s numerator. The butterfly method has many advantages over the usual way of dividing fractions.
This method also has a simple geometric model that can help students remember fractions. By circling the parts of the fractions, you need to multiply, and you will get the least common denominator. It is useful for solving many types of fraction problems. Moreover, it helps students learn to understand patterns that help them solve fraction problems.
How Can You Subtract Fractions with Like or Unlike Denominators
The first step in subtracting fractions with like or unlike denominators is to find the LCM of the fractions. You can get this LCM by multiplying the fractions by a suitable number. After finding the LCM, you need to subtract the numerators.
Fractions with like and unlike denominators are similar in structure but differ in the denominator. For example, 7/7 is not similar to 1/9. Then, you have a mixed number. Then, you will subtract the fractions from the whole number.
If you have like and unlike denominators, you must rewrite the fractions to make them similar. Typically, this means finding the least common denominator. Prime factorization is one way to find the least common multiple of the denominators.
How To Find the Answer Numerator Using LCM
When subtracting fractions, it is important to find the numerator. A numerator is the part of the fraction that is less than or equal to the denominator. To find the numerator, multiply the denominator by the least common multiple (LCM), which is the smaller part. Once you’ve found the LCM, you can subtract the numerator from the answer.
In addition, when subtracting fractions, you must make the same denominators. For example, if you want to subtract a fraction from a number, you should make the denominator 35. This way, you’ll get the answer in its simplest form.
In addition to subtraction, subtracting fractions can help you solve problems that require mixing fractions and mixed numbers. The most basic of these problems involves two proper fractions with a common denominator. If they don’t have the same denominator, you’ll need to convert the answer to a mixed number, then write it as a whole number.
How To Find the Common Denominator
You need to find the common denominator when adding or subtracting fractions with different denominators. This can be done by finding the lowest term between the two denominators. If they are the same, you can add them using regular addition. If not, you need to find the lowest term and convert them to equivalent fractions with the common denominator.
The easiest way to find the common denominator for a pair of fractions is to multiply the numerator by the denominator. By doing this, you will have the lowest common denominator and can use this method to add or subtract fractions.
When you understand how fractions work, you can add and SubtractFractions using the common denominator. However, you should be aware that the fractions you add and subtract do not necessarily have to be in the lowest terms. This means that they may need to be simplified. This process is known as “reducing” fractions and is discussed in other lessons.
Final Words on Subtract Fractions
As a parent, teacher, or tutor, there are times when you are asked to teach someone how to SubtractFractions. But, if the task seems overwhelming or too complicated, you can follow this strategy: Subtracting fractions is a matter of adding and subtracting the like terms from each other. So, if you multiply, divide, subtract, or add fractions, you can then compare like terms. When you are teaching how to SubtractFractions, make sure that you explain to students how they can do it with multiplication and division.