Class 5 - Subtraction of Fractions: Complete Learning Guide

Subtraction of Fractions is an important Maths skill that helps Class 5 students to solve the problems in a simple way. In this article students will learn how to subtract fractions using simple steps and clear examples.

Table of Contents

• What is Subtraction of Fractions?
• Subtraction of Fractions Formula
• Easy Steps to Subtraction of Fractions
• Solved Examples on Subtraction of Fractions
• Practice Questions on Subtraction of Fractions for Class 5
• Subtraction of Fractions Worksheet for Class 5

What is Subtraction of Fractions?

Subtraction of fractions means taking away one fraction from another fraction. When we subtract fractions, we are finding how much is left after removing a certain amount from the total.

Subtraction of Fractions Formula

The formula for subtracting fractions depends on whether the fractions have the same denominator (bottom number) or different denominators.

Formula 1: When Denominators Are the Same (Like Fractions)

  ab−cb=a−cb

When two fractions have the same denominator, we simply subtract the numerators and keep the denominator the same.

Example:  58−28=5−28=38

Formula 2: When Denominators Are Different (Unlike Fractions)

  ab−cd=ad−bcbd

When fractions have different denominators, we must first find a common denominator, then subtract.

Example: 12−13=1×3−1×22×3=3−26=16

Easy Steps to Subtraction of Fractions

Method 1: Subtracting Fractions with the Same Denominator

Step 1: Check if both fractions have the same denominator.

Step 2: If they do, keep the denominator the same.

Step 3: Subtract the first numerator from the second numerator.

Step 4: Write the answer as (new numerator)/(same denominator).

Step 5: Simplify the fraction if possible.

Example:

• Problem: 7/9 - 3/9
• Step 1: Both have denominator 9
• Step 2: Keep 9 as the denominator
• Step 3: 7 - 3 = 4
• Step 4: Answer = 4/9
• Step 5: 4/9 is already in simplest form

Method 2: Subtracting Fractions with Different Denominators

Step 1: Identify the two different denominators.

Step 2: Find the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of both denominators. This becomes your common denominator.

Step 3: Convert the first fraction to have the common denominator.

Step 4: Convert the second fraction to have the common denominator.

Step 5: Now subtract the numerators (they have the same denominator now).

Step 6: Simplify the answer if needed.

Example:

• Problem: 3/4 - 1/6
• Step 1: Denominators are 4 and 6
• Step 2: LCM of 4 and 6 = 12
• Step 3: 3/4 = (3 × 3)/(4 × 3) = 9/12
• Step 4: 1/6 = (1 × 2)/(6 × 2) = 2/12
• Step 5: 9/12 - 2/12 = 7/12
• Step 6: 7/12 is already simple

Method 3: Subtracting Mixed Numbers

A mixed number has a whole number and a fraction together, like 2 3/4.

Step 1: Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions.

Step 2: Find the common denominator.

Step 3: Subtract the numerators.

Step 4: Convert the answer back to a mixed number if needed.

Example:

• Problem: 3 1/2 - 1 1/4
• Step 1: 3 1/2 = 7/2, and 1 1/4 = 5/4
• Step 2: LCM of 2 and 4 = 4
• Step 3: 7/2 = 14/4, so 14/4 - 5/4 = 9/4
• Step 4: 9/4 = 2 1/4

Solved Examples on Subtraction of Fractions

1: Simple Subtraction with Same Denominators

Problem: Subtract 2/5 from 4/5

Solution:

• Both fractions have the same denominator (5)
• Subtract the numerators: 4 - 2 = 2
• Keep the denominator: 5
• Answer: 2/5

2: Subtraction with Different Denominators

Problem: Calculate 5/6 - 1/3

Solution:

• Denominators are different (6 and 3)
• LCM of 6 and 3 = 6
• Convert 1/3 to have denominator 6: 1/3 = 2/6
• Now subtract: 5/6 - 2/6 = 3/6
• Simplify: 3/6 = 1/2
• Answer: 1/2

3: Subtraction with Smaller Denominators

Problem: Find the difference between 3/8 and 1/8

Solution:

• Both have denominator 8
• Subtract numerators: 3 - 1 = 2
• Answer: 2/8 = 1/4 (after simplifying)

4: Mixed Numbers Subtraction

Problem: Calculate 5 2/3 - 2 1/3

Solution:

• Both mixed numbers have the same fraction denominator (3)
• Subtract whole numbers: 5 - 2 = 3
• Subtract fractions: 2/3 - 1/3 = 1/3
• Answer: 3 1/3

5: Subtraction Requiring Common Denominator

Problem: Calculate 7/10 - 1/5

Solution:

• Denominators are 10 and 5
• LCM of 10 and 5 = 10
• Convert 1/5 to have denominator 10: 1/5 = 2/10
• Subtract: 7/10 - 2/10 = 5/10
• Simplify: 5/10 = 1/2
• Answer: 1/2

6: Subtracting from a Whole Number

Problem: Calculate 2 - 3/4

Solution:

• Convert 2 to a fraction with denominator 4: 2 = 8/4
• Subtract: 8/4 - 3/4 = 5/4
• Convert to mixed number: 5/4 = 1 1/4
• Answer: 1 1/4

7: Complex Mixed Numbers

Problem: Calculate 4 3/5 - 1 2/5

Solution:

• Whole numbers: 4 - 1 = 3
• Fractions: 3/5 - 2/5 = 1/5
• Combine: 3 + 1/5
• Answer: 3 1/5

8: Different Denominators with Larger Numbers

Problem: Calculate 9/12 - 1/4

Solution:

• Denominators are 12 and 4
• LCM of 12 and 4 = 12
• Convert 1/4: 1/4 = 3/12
• Subtract: 9/12 - 3/12 = 6/12
• Simplify: 6/12 = 1/2
• Answer: 1/2

Question 9: Three Digit Fraction Subtraction

Problem: Calculate 11/15 - 2/15

Solution:

• Both have denominator 15
• Subtract numerators: 11 - 2 = 9
• Answer: 9/15 = 3/5 (after simplifying)

10: Mixed Number with Improper Fraction

Problem: Calculate 3 2/7 - 5/7

Solution:

• Convert 3 2/7 to improper fraction: (3 × 7 + 2)/7 = 23/7
• Subtract: 23/7 - 5/7 = 18/7
• Convert back to mixed number: 18/7 = 2 4/7
• Answer: 2 4/7

Practice Questions on Subtraction of Fractions for Class 5

Solve these subtraction problems:

1. 6/8 - 2/8 = ___
2. 7/9 - 3/9 = ___
3. 5/7 - 1/7 = ___
4. 8/10 - 3/10 = ___
5. 9/12 - 4/12 = ___
6. 1/2 - 1/4 = ___
7. 3/4 - 1/8 = ___
8. 5/6 - 1/3 = ___
9. 7/10 - 1/5 = ___
10. 4/5 - 1/10 = ___
11. 3 1/4 - 1 1/4 = ___
12. 5 2/3 - 2 1/3 = ___
13. 4 3/5 - 1 2/5 = ___
14. 6 1/2 - 2 1/4 = ___
15. 7 3/4 - 3 1/2 = ___

Subtraction of Fractions Worksheet for Class 5

Download Subtraction of Fractions Worksheet for Class 5 Easy

Download Subtraction of Fractions Worksheet for Class 5 Medium

Download Subtraction of Fractions Worksheet for Class 5 Hard