Algebra Demystified 2nd Ed

Chapter 1 FraCtions 23

To subtract a fraction from a whole number, we multiply the whole number
by the fraction’s denominator and then subtract the fraction’s numerator from
this product. The difference will be the new numerator:

W a

b

Wb a

b

−= −

EXAMPLE

2 5

7

27 5

7

14 5

7

9

7

−=()⋅−= − =

PRACTICE

Find the difference.

1.^1 −=^14
2. 2 3
8

−=

3.^5 −= 116
4. 2 4
5

−=

SOLUTIONS

1.^1 −=^14 ()^14 ⋅− 4 1 =^34
2. 2 3
8

28 3

8

16 3

8

13

8

−=()⋅−= − =

3.^5 −= 116 ()^51 ⋅− 1116 =^5511 −^6 =^4911
4. 2 4
5

25 4

5

10 4

5

6

5

−=()⋅−= − =

To subtract a whole number from the fraction, we again multiply the
whole number by the fraction’s denominator and then subtract this product

✔SOLUTIONS

EXAMPLE

PRACTICE

Find the difference.