Subtracting a Fraction From A Whole Number


In these lessons, we will learn how to subtract a fraction from a whole number.

Related Pages
Subtracting Fractions
Adding Fractions
Equivalent Fractions
More Arithmetic Lessons




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We will look at two possible methods used when subtracting a fraction from a whole number.
In the first method, we subtract 1 from the whole number and convert the 1 into a fraction with the same denominator as the fraction we are subtracting. Then we subtract the two fractions.
In the second method, we convert the whole number into a fraction with the same denominator as the fraction we are subtracting. Then we subtract the two fractions.

Method 1

We convert the whole number to a mixed number and then perform the addition or subtraction.

Example:
Calculate

Solution:
Subtract Fractions from Whole Numbers

How to subtract fractions from a whole number?
Step 1: Subtract 1 from the whole number portion.
Step 2: Convert the 1 into an equivalent fraction with the same denominator as the given fraction.
Step 3: Subtract the given fraction from the equivalent fraction you converted.
Step 4: Add the results from step 1 and step 3.

Subtract a fraction from a whole number worksheet

Example:
5 - 7/10
16 - 5/8
10 - 5/12
20 - 1/16




Method 2

We convert the whole number to a fraction with the same denominator as the fraction we want to subtract and then perform the subtraction.

Example:
Calculate

Solution:

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