How do I subtract one fraction from another?

If you have the question:

What is 2/3 minus 1/5?

You should start this question by looking at the demoniators (the bottom of the fraction). You want to get a number that is divisible by both 3 and 5. An example is 15 as it can be divide by both 3 and 5:

15/3=5

and

15/5=3

Now that we have picked our denominator, you need to change the number on top, the numerator. To do this, take the original denominator (3) and divide it by our new one

15/3=5

We now know that the numerator is out by a factor of 5. To make the fraction equivelant, you need to times the top number (2) by the factor (5).

2*5=10

Do the same with the second number and you should get the answer 3.

Now we have 10/15 minus 3/15=(10-3)/15=7/15 and we have our answer!

JC
Answered by Jessica C. Maths tutor

4619 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do I solve a simultaneous equation?


Mark has a voucher that gives him 22% off the prices at a hardware store. Estimate how much he will pay for an electric drill that normally costs £87.99. (non-calculator) (3)


Solve 4x + 6 = 3


Matt has 3 piles of coins, A , B and C. Altogether there was 72p. Pile B had twice as much as pile A. Pile C had three times as much as pile B. How much money was in Pile C?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning