Q&A for How to Subtract Fractions from Whole Numbers

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

If the whole number is 1, then how am I supposed to make it into a fraction if 1/1 is 1 whole?

Donagan

Top Answerer

As a simple example, let's say we're subtracting ¾ from 1. Convert 1 to 4/4. 4/4 - ¾ = ¼. If the whole number is something else, let's say 6, and you're subtracting ¾, convert the 6 to 24/4. 24/4 - ¾ = 21/4, or 5¼.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 32 Helpful 64
Question

Can you help me with 5 5/6 - 2 2/3 step by step?

WOOHP

Community Answer

1. 5 5/6 - 2 2/3 = 5 5/6 - 2 4/6 2. 5 5/6 - 2/4/6 = 3 1/6

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 64 Helpful 96
Question

I'm confused. Can you please give an example?

Karianna Wood

Community Answer

Take 3 - 2/7, for example. What over 7 is 3? 21, because 7 x 3 = 21. So 3 - 2/7 is the same as 21/7 - 2/7. What is 21/7 - 3/7? 21 - 3 = 18. So 21/7 - 3/7 = 18/7. (Optional) Simplify 18/7, which is 2 4/7. Does that help?

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 65 Helpful 75
Question

How do I subtract 8 - 1/8?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Convert 8 to 64/8. 64/8 - 1/8 = 63/8, or 7 7/8.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 27 Helpful 34
Question

How do I subtract a whole number and a mixed number?

Community Answer

Subtract the "number" part of the mixed number (i.e., if it was 2 3/4, then subtract 2), then subtract the fraction.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 54 Helpful 68
Question

How do I subtract a whole number from a fraction?

Community Answer

Subtract it like a natural number. The whole number cannot be in lowest term

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 30 Helpful 37
Question

Three-eighths is equal to how many 64ths?

Community Answer

There are 8 sixty-fourths in one eighth, which means there are 3 x 8 or 24 sixty-fourths in three-eighths. 3/8 = 24/64.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 39 Helpful 33
Question

How do I subtract 2/7 and 1/3 from 1?

Community Answer

Change the fractions so that they have equal denominators- 6/21 and 7/21- then add the top numbers- 6+7=13, so 13/21- then subtract that from 21/21- 21/21-13/21=8/21.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 39 Helpful 35
Question

How do I calculate 3 1/7 - 1/2?

Donagan

Top Answerer

First convert the mixed number to an improper fraction. Then convert both fractions to equivalent fractions with like denominators. Then subtract the smaller numerator from the larger numerator, using the new denominator.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 23 Helpful 21
Question

What if I have a proper fraction instead?

Community Answer

If you have a proper fraction, you still need to make sure both have the same denominators before adding or subtracting. The LCD rule still applies.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 35 Helpful 20
Question

How do I can find the LCD?

Community Answer

To find the LCD, convert all integers and mixed numbers (mixed fractions) into fractions. Then find the least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators which is equal to the least common denominator (LCD). You can then rewrite each term as an equivalent fraction with the LCD.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 13 Helpful 13
Question

How can I subtract a fraction from a decimal?

WikiHowUser20170728202545

Community Answer

Convert the decimal to a fraction. Then convert both fractions to fractions of like denominators. Subtract the numerators, and keep the denominator the same.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 11
Question

How do I subtract 11/2 - 3/4?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Convert 11/2 to 22/4. 22 - 3 = 19, which is the numerator of the answer, while 4 is the denominator. Convert to a mixed number if you want to.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 5
Question

How do I subtract 25 7/8 and 12?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Subtract 12 from 25, and keep the 7/8 as the fraction of a mixed number.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 2
Question

How can I find the answer to 20 - 13 3/5?

Community Answer

An easy method is to change 20 to 19 5/5, then proceed to subtraction. 19 5/5 - 13 3/5 is 6 2/5. You can check by going through the traditional method of converting 20 to 100/5 and 13 3/5 to 68/5; the result is 32/5, or 6 2/5.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
Question

How do I subtract 1/5 from 500?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Think of 500 as 499 5/5. Subtract 1/5 from the 5/5, and you're left with 499 4/5.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 2
Question

How do I subtract 1/2 from 5 1/4?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Change the mixed number to the improper fraction 21/4, and change ½ to 2/4. Then it's 21/4 - 2/4 = 19/4 = 4 3/4.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
Question

Why do I have to convert the whole number and make it a fraction?

Donagan

Top Answerer

The reason is that you can subtract a fraction only if the other number is also a fraction with the same denominator. So you must convert a whole number to an improper fraction with the same denominator as the fraction you're subtracting.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 1
Question

A container is full of water. If 21 gallons of water were removed from the container, it would be 1/3 full. How many gallons of water is the capacity of the container?

Donagan

Top Answerer

21 gallons represents 2/3 of the container's volume (because removing 21 gallons leaves 1/3 still inside). That means that 10½ gallons (half of 21) is 1/3 of the volume. If you combine 2/3 of the volume with 1/3 of the volume, you'd have a full container.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 1
Question

How do I subtract 20/103 and 80/103 from 1? The answer is 3/103, but how do I get that answer?

Donagan

Top Answerer

It appears that you've been asked to combine 20/103 and 80/103 and then subtract that sum from 1. 20/103 plus 80/103 equals 100/103. 1 can be expressed as 103/103. (103/103) - (100/103) = 3/103.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 1
Question

How do I subtract fractions?

Community Answer

Follow the instructions listed in the article above.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

11 is 1/5 of what number?

Community Answer

Let x be the number we seek. Then 11 = (1/5)(x). Multiply both sides by 5 to get 55=x. Therefore 11 is 1/5 of 55.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

How do I subtract -81/4 - 22/9?

Community Answer

Make both improper fractions have the lowest common denominator (-81/4 = -729/36, -22/9 = -88/36) then subtract ((-729 - 88) / 36 = -817/36), then simplify (-817/36 = -22*36/36 - 25/36 = -22 - 25/36 = -22 25/36).

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

How do I subtract 1 - 4/8?

Community Answer

You can tackle it in 2 ways: either simplify first then regroup then subtract (1 - 4/8 = 1 - 1/2 = 2/2 - 1/2 = 1/2), or regroup and subtract, then simplify (1 = 8/8. 8/8 - 4/8 = 4/8 = 1/2). Either way, the answer is 1/2.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

What is the answer to 400 - 23/40?

Community Answer

The answer is 399 17/40. 400 = 16,000/40. 16,000/40 - 23/40 = 15,977/40. Simplified, this becomes 399 17/40.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

What's the answer if the problem looks like this: 2 - 3/7 = ?

Donagan

Top Answerer

2 - 3/7 = 14/7 - 3/7 = 11/7 = 1 4/7.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

How do I find X in X+2/3=5?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Subtract 2/3 from 5.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Question

Can anyone answer 9 1/8 - 3 5/6?

Donagan

Top Answerer

9 1/8 - 3 5/6 = 73/8 - 23/6 = 219/24 - 92/24 = 127/24 = 5 7/24.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

2512-5/8-1/4=n, what is the answer please?

Donagan

Top Answerer

-5/8 - 1/4 = -5/8 - 2/8 = -7/8. So 2512 - 7/8 = 2511 1/8.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

What if a problem is 10-17/10?

Donagan

Top Answerer

First convert the whole number 10 to 100/10. Then subtract 17/10 from 100/10. That's 83/10 or 8 3/10.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0