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How to Decrease Fractions

Fractions can be decreased in the same manner as normal numbers, namely subtraction. Where it feels different is that while the result is the same (namely, the given fraction is smaller than it was before any operations were done on it), the process is slightly different because subtracting one fraction from another fraction can only be done when the denominator (the bottom number) is the same for both. Another way to decrease fractions is to multiply them; this is the inverse of whole numbers, in which it is division that makes them smaller.

Instructions

  1. Subtraction

    • 1

      Change the denominator (bottom) of the fractions so that they are similar. To do this, multiply both fractions by the number found in the other denominator. For example, if you want to subtract 2/3 from 1/4, multiple 2/3 by 4 (to get 8/12) and 1/4 by 3 (to get 3/12).

    • 2

      Subtract the numerators. In our previous example, you would subtract 8/12 from 3/12 and get -5/12 as your answer.

    • 3

      Simplify the fraction, if necessary.

    Multiplication

    • 4

      Simplify the fraction. For example, if your are multiplying 2/3 by 4/8, first reduce 4/8 to 1/2.

    • 5

      Multiply the numerators together to find the product's numerator: 2 times 1 is 1.

    • 6

      Multiply the denominators together to find the product's denominator: 3 times 2 is 6.

    • 7

      Simplify the new fraction, if possible. In this example, 1/6 is as simple as it can be.

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