Fractions · Add & subtract · 6.2

Subtract, same denominator.

Same denominator subtraction works the same way: subtract the numerators and keep the denominator.

01 / THE IDEA

See it work.

Picture it

Shaded parts out of the whole.

4
5

Watch the method

Subtract, same denom

4/5 − 1/5 = 3/5.

1 / 1
45−15\frac{4}{5} - \frac{1}{5}
1

Subtract the numerators

Same denominator — keep it, combine the tops.

4−15=35\frac{4 - 1}{5} = \frac{3}{5}
02 / YOUR TURN

Practice until it feels automatic.

Your turn

Work it out.

Type a fraction like 3/4 or 1 1/2.

streak 0
best 0
… =
— / WHY IT WORKS

The idea underneath.

Take away the counts

n/d − m/d = (n−m)/d.

Why it works

Four fifths take away one fifth is three fifths.

03 / WORKED EXAMPLES

From easy to tricky.

EX 1easy

Subtract 8/9 - 3/9

1

Subtract the numerators

Same denominator — keep it, combine the tops. \frac{8 - 3}{9} = 5/9

EX 2medium

Subtract 4/5 - 1/5

1

Subtract the numerators

Same denominator — keep it, combine the tops. \frac{4 - 1}{5} = 3/5

EX 3hard

Subtract 3/4 - 2/4

1

Subtract the numerators

Same denominator — keep it, combine the tops. \frac{3 - 2}{4} = 1/4

04 / COMMON TRAPS

Where students slip.

Trap

Subtracting the denominators.

Fix

Keep the denominator.

Trap

Forgetting to simplify.

Fix

Reduce the answer.

05 / QUIZ

Test yourself.

The Test

12 problems across three tiers. Auto-graded on submit. Hints and a full walkthrough on every question. Your work is saved on this device — sign in to keep it across devices.

0/12Answered
How to answerType just the value. Formatting won't trip you up — we ignore spaces, capital letters, commas, and subscript style, so t₁ = 5, d = 3 and t1=5,d=3 both count. For a list of numbers, separate them with commas (e.g. 3, 10, 17).
Core

Core (4)

C1

Subtract 8/9 - 3/9

Need a hint?
  • Subtract the numerators.
  • Keep the denominator; simplify.
C2

Subtract 5/9 - 4/9

Need a hint?
  • Subtract the numerators.
  • Keep the denominator; simplify.
C3

Subtract 2/3 - 1/3

Need a hint?
  • Subtract the numerators.
  • Keep the denominator; simplify.
C4

Subtract 2/8 - 1/8

Need a hint?
  • Subtract the numerators.
  • Keep the denominator; simplify.
Apply

Apply (4)

A1

Subtract 4/5 - 1/5

Need a hint?
  • Subtract the numerators.
  • Keep the denominator; simplify.
A2

Subtract 4/5 - 3/5

Need a hint?
  • Subtract the numerators.
  • Keep the denominator; simplify.
A3

Subtract 2/4 - 1/4

Need a hint?
  • Subtract the numerators.
  • Keep the denominator; simplify.
A4

Subtract 2/6 - 1/6

Need a hint?
  • Subtract the numerators.
  • Keep the denominator; simplify.
Extension

Extension (4)

E1

Subtract 3/4 - 2/4

Need a hint?
  • Subtract the numerators.
  • Keep the denominator; simplify.
E2

Subtract 3/4 - 2/4

Need a hint?
  • Subtract the numerators.
  • Keep the denominator; simplify.
E3

Subtract 6/8 - 3/8

Need a hint?
  • Subtract the numerators.
  • Keep the denominator; simplify.
E4

Subtract 3/5 - 1/5

Need a hint?
  • Subtract the numerators.
  • Keep the denominator; simplify.