How do I subtract the following mixed fraction with different denominators?

The problem is 91 1/4 - 87 2/3. Do I borrow from the whole number after I solve the fraction portion?

Just change the fractions to like bases.

91 (3/12) - 87 (8/12)

4 (-5/12)

Now borrow from the whole number. Take 1, or 12/12, so that the fraction isn’t negative:
3 (7/12)

3 and 7/12 is the answer

3 Responses to “How do I subtract the following mixed fraction with different denominators?”

  1. ?o? Says:

    Just change the fractions to like bases.

    91 (3/12) - 87 (8/12)

    4 (-5/12)

    Now borrow from the whole number. Take 1, or 12/12, so that the fraction isn’t negative:
    3 (7/12)

    3 and 7/12 is the answer
    References :

  2. Tim Says:

    The first that must happen is that both fraction must have the same denominator. We need to find the least common multiple of 4 and 3, which is 12. Also, both fractions must be improper fractions.

    91 1/4 = 365/4. (365 = (91×4) + 1) and 87 2/3 = 263/3 (263 = (87×3) + 2).

    Now change both fractions into fractions that have the same denominator. 365/4 = 1095/12 and 263/3 = 1052/12. So subtracting the two fractions, we get 1095/12 - 1052/12 = 43/12 or 3 7/12.
    References :

  3. Allen Says:

    Instead of what you’re thinking, you can turn both numbers into improper fractions, which would be 365/4 - 263/3. Then, you find the LCD, which is 12. Change the denominators to 12, and remember- whatever you do to the fraction, do it to BOTH numbers. The problem is now 1095/12 - 1052/12. subtract and get 43/12. change to a mixed number, simplify as much as possible, and there’s the answer. It’s 3 7/12
    References :

Leave a Reply