LESSON 3:

SUBTRACTION OF
FRACTIONS
Monkey D. Luffy
If we use addition of fractions in business,
we also use subtraction. Assuming that a
seller has 50 meters of cloth in a bale, and
he or she sold 37 meters. How many were
left? Here, we subtract 37 from 50 to get
the remaining meters of cloth and we get 12
meters.
 Subtraction of Similar Fractions
• As in addition, we simply deal with the
numerators and then copy the denominator.
Hence, to subtract, we subtract the
numerators and copy the denominator and
reduce the fraction to lowest terms, if
needed.
1. - =
=
2. - =
=
=
 Subtraction of Dissimilar Fractions
•Again, as in addition, it is necessary that
dissimilar fractions be converted into
similar fractions first. Then, we proceed
to subtraction of similar fractions.
 1. - = - =
We find the LCD for 3 and 4 and that is 12.
12+3-4; 4×2-8; hence, =

12+4=3; 3x1-3; hence, =

Next, we subtract 3 from 8 to arrive at 5 and we retain the

denominator (12), so our answer is
We find the LCD for 6 and 8 which is 24.

24+6=4; 4 x 5 = 20; hence, =

24+8=3;3x1 = 3; hence, =

- = 20 – 3 = 17 and we retain the denominator; hence,

the answer is
 Subtraction of Mixed Numbers
1. To subtract a mixed number from another mixed number, we follow the
following rules:

• If the mixed numbers have similar fractional parts, we subtract the whole
numbers and then subtract the fractional parts following our rule for
subtraction of similar fractions:
8 - 3 = (8 – 3) + [ - ] We subtract the whole numbers 8 – 3 = 5
=5+ Next, we subtract - = . Our answer,
=5 therefore, is 5
2. If the mixed numbers have fractional parts which are not similar, then we
change the fractional parts into similar fractions and then proceed as in (a)
above,
12 = 12 We deduct 8 from 12 to get 4. We change and
8 =8 to similar fractions. The LCD for 3 and 4 and 12 so
2+3 = 4; 4 X 4 = 8; therefore, = . Again 12 + 4
= = 3; 3 X 1= 3; Therefore, = . So, we deduct
from to get hence, the answer is 4
3.If the fraction in the subtrahend is greater
than the fraction in the minuend, convert
one unit of the minuend into an improper
fraction with the correct denominator and
add this unit to the existing fraction in the
minuend. Then the whole number in the
minuend is reduced by one. After that, we
can proceed with the subtraction.
 23 = 23 = 22
- 15 = 15 = 15
=7
From 23, we borrow one unit expressed as a fraction with a
denominator of 8, that is, which we add to arrive at , so 23
becomes 22 . Next, we convert into a fraction with 8 as
denominator. 8 + 4 = 2; 2 X 3 = 6. becomes . Now, we deduct 15
from 22 to get 7, and from to get Our answer, therefore, is 7 .
 Another Example
14 = 14 = 13
-8 =8 =8
We borrow 1 unit from 14 so it becomes 13.
This unit is which we add to to arrive at . We can now
deduct from to get We deduct 8 from 13 to get 5. Our
answer, therefore, is 5 .
 Subtraction of Mixed Number
and Whole Numbers
• To subtract a mixed number from a whole
number, we convert unit of the minuend into an
improper fraction with the same denominator as
the fraction in the subtrahend, thus reducing the
whole number in the minuend by one. Then we
subtract.
 1. 14 = 13
-3 =3
= 10

We borrow one unit from 14 so it becomes 13 and we

have as the unit we borrowed. We deduct 3 from 13
to get 10. Our answer, therefore, is 10
 2. 25 = 24
-6 = 6
= 18
Borrowing one unit from 25, it becomes 24 and we affix
as the unit we borrowed. Then, we deduct from and we
get . Next, we deduct 6 from 24 and we get 18. Our
answer, therefore, is 18 .
To subtract a whole number from a mixed number, we simply subtract
the numbers and copy the fraction.

1. 18 2. 65 3. 104
- 7 - 3 - 97
= 11 = 23 = 7
Let's share ideas:
Gabriela, Corazon, and Remedios formed a
partnership. Gabriela contributed of the capital.
Corazon contributed of what Gabriela
contributed. Remedios Contributed the
remainder.
a. How much more did Gabriela contribute
than Corazon? Than Remedios?
b. Show the capital contributions of the
partners in terms of fractional parts.
c. Provide your answer in (b) using subtraction
d. If the total capitalization of the partnership
was P30 000.00, how much did each of the
partners contribute?
Practice your skills:
1. The Fernando family decided to hike to
Dream Lake, approximately 9 miles away.
After an hour, the lake was still 5 miles
away. How far did the group hike so far?
2. For track practice, runners were
supposed to walk or jog twenty laps. Sarah
jogged of the laps. Jacob jogged of the
laps. Sierra jogged of the laps. List the
runners in order from least to greatest
number of laps jogged.
Lesson Summary
• To subtract similar fractions, we subtract the
numerators and copy the denominator and reduce the
fraction to lowest terms, if needed.
•To subtract dissimilar fractions, we convert
the dissimilar fractions into similar
fractions and we proceed to subtraction of
similar fractions.
• To subtract a mixed number from another mixed
number, we follow the following rules:

a. If the mixed numbers have similar fractional parts, we subtract the

whole numbers and then subtract the fractional parts following our
rule for subtraction of similar fractions.

b. If the mixed numbers have fractional parts which are dissimilar, we

change the fractional parts into similar fractions and then proceed as in
(a) above.
• If the fraction in the subtrahend is greater than the
fraction in the minuend, we convert one unit of
the minuend into an improper fraction with the
correct denominator and add this unit to the
existing fraction in the minuend. The whole
number in the minuend is then reduced by one.
We can then proceed with the subtraction.
• To subtract a mixed number from a whole
number, we convert one unit of the minuend
into an improper fraction with the same
denominator as the fraction in the
subtrahend, thus reducing the whole number
in the minuend by one. Then, we subtract.
Find the difference.
1. 80 3. 22 5. 49 7. 85
- 14 - 13 - 25 - 14
= = = =

2. 24 4. 32 6. 72 8. 108
- 17 -5 - 14 - 42
= = = =
B. Problem Solving: Solve the following with
complete solution.
1. Bernadette cuts a piece of fabric into four pieces of the same length.
After she cuts off 3 feet from one of the pieces, she is left with a
piece that is feet long. What is the length of the piece of fabric she
started with?
2. Using the data (2) above, what part of the total fabric was the piece
that she cut off first? After cutting the first part, what part of the total
fabric was left?
3. A Venn diagram shows overlapping circles to illustrate relationships.
Prepare a Venn diagram to show the following
a. Jed and Joshua play the drums.
b. Janine and John play the violin.
c. Jan Josh and Abram play the flute.
d. Chloe plays the flute and the drums.
e. Zoe the flute and the violin.
f. Djorg plays all three instruments.

What fraction of the total instruments does each of them

play?