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How to Carry When You Subtract Fractions

Whether you're baking a cake, measuring carpeting, or simply doing your math homework, fractions can be found everywhere. A fraction is a part of a whole. A mixed number is a combination of a whole number and a fraction. Although simple subtraction of whole numbers is quite simple, when subtracting with mixed numbers it can be slightly trickier. In addition, when you need to carry (or regroup) it is important to keep certain things in mind.

Instructions

- 1
  Subtract the fraction portion of the mixed number first.
- 2
  Find a common denominator of the fractions, if they are not already the same.
- 3
  Subtract the second numerator from the first. However, if the second numerator is larger than the first numerator, you need to borrow from the first whole number. Do not change the second whole number.
- 4
  Subtract 1 from your first whole number and add it to your first fraction.
- 5
  Subtract the second numerator from the first (the denominator will not change) using this new, bigger fraction.
- 6
  Subtract your whole number to finish the problem.

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