Subtracting Fractions from a Whole Number
We will look at two possible methods used when subtracting fractions from a whole number.
Method 1
We convert the whole number to a mixed number and then perform the addition or subtraction.
Example :
Calculate 
Solution:
The following video shows how to subtract fractions from a whole number.
Step 1: Borrow 1 from the whole number portion.
Step 2: Convert 1 into an equivalent fraction with same denominator to the given fraction.
Step 3: Subtract the given fraction from the equivalent fraction you converted.
Step 4: Add result from step 1 and step 3.
Method 2
We convert the whole number to a fraction with the same denominator as the fraction and then perform the addition or subtraction.
Example :
Calculate 
Solution:
Rotate to landscape screen format on a mobile phone or small tablet to use the Mathway widget, a free math problem solver that answers your questions with step-by-step explanations.
You can use the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice Algebra or other math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.
