How do you do subtract mixed number? - Answers

To subtract mixed numbers, convert the fractions into ones with a common denominator, make the first fraction larger than the second, subtract, then reduce the result if necessaryExample : 6 1/8 - 2 3/4Find the common denominator -- here it is 81/8 = 1/8 and 3/4 = 6/8 (you cannot subtract the fractions because the second is larger)So borrow from the whole number by making 6 1/8 into 5 9/8 (1= 8/8)Now 5 9/8 - 2 6/8 can be subtracted to yield 3 3/8---* More on "borrowing" to make the fraction larger : what you are doing is turning one of the whole numbers into an equal fraction and adding it to the fraction. Here we took 1 from the 6 making it 5, and added that 8/8 to the 1/8 to make the improper fraction 9/8. So the terms 6 1/8 and 5 9/8 have the same value.