Skill: Subtract fractions with like denominators

Explanation and Free Practice Resources

Subtraction of fractions with like denominators treats the denominator as the common unit size: because the fractional parts are equal-sized, the numerators indicate how many units are removed, so $\frac{a}{b}-\frac{c}{b}=\frac{a-c}{b}$ , while the denominator remains unchanged. This includes nonnegative proper and improper fractions and mixed numbers, including regrouping a whole into fractional units when needed; unlike denominators, negative fractions, and algebraic rational expressions are beyond this scope.

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Detailed Explanation: Subtract fractions with like denominators

When fractions have the same denominator, the pieces are the same size. Subtract the numerators and keep the denominator unchanged:

\frac{a}{b}-\frac{c}{b}=\frac{a-c}{b}

For example, find:

\frac{7}{8}-\frac{3}{8}

The denominators are both $8$ , so the fractions have equal-sized pieces.
Subtract the numerators: $(7-3=4)$ .
Keep the denominator $8$ :

\frac{7}{8}-\frac{3}{8}=\frac{4}{8}

Simplify $\frac{4}{8}$ by dividing the numerator and denominator by $4$ :

\frac{4}{8}=\frac{1}{2}

So,

\boxed{\frac{7}{8}-\frac{3}{8}=\frac{1}{2}}

Learn by doing: Subtract fractions with like denominators

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Fraction Subtraction - Basic (No Simplifying Answers) - No Changed Denominator

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