## Video and Examples

This video will show you how to subtract fractions from a whole number. Sample $3\,-\,1\frac{3}{4}\,=$

If you have a dollar, you can always cash it in for four quarters - it is an even exchange. This can be represented mathematically as $1\,=\,\frac{4}{4}$.

Similarly, if you have 3 dollars, you can cash in one of those dollars for four quarters, leaving you with two dollars and four quarters - the same amount of money as $3. This can be represented mathematically as$3\,=\,2\frac{4}{4}$.

We are going to use this idea of exchanging a whole number for an equivalent amount of fractions to learn how to subtract fractions from a whole number.

Example 1:$

4\,-\,1\frac{2}{5}\,=

 Step 1: Model the first number Step 2: Regroup the first number Step 3: Subtract

Example 2:

6\,-\,4\frac{5}{8}\,=

 Step 1: Model the first number Step 2: Regroup the first number Step 3: Subtract

For more practice with fractions, please try this Fraction Calculator.

# Self-Check function toggle1() { var ele = document.getElementById("toggleText1"); var text = document.getElementById("displayText1"); if (ele.style.display == "block") { ele.style.display = "none"; text.innerHTML = "[show answer]"; } else { ele.style.display = "block"; text.innerHTML = "[hide answer]"; } }

Question 1

9\,-\,2\frac{1}{5}\,=

9\,-\,2\frac{1}{5}\,=$

$

8\frac{5}{5}\,-\,2\frac{1}{5}\,=$

$

6\frac{4}{5}$

Question 2

4\,-\,1\frac{3}{8}\,=

4\,-\,1\frac{3}{8}\,=$

$

3\frac{8}{8}\,-\,1\frac{3}{8}\,=$

$

2\frac{5}{8}$

 Question 3 12\,-\,7\frac{2}{7}\,= [show answer] 12\,-\,7\frac{2}{7}\,=$ $11\frac{7}{7}\,-\,7\frac{2}{7}\,=$ $4\frac{5}{7}