Grade 4 Fractions: Subtracting Same Denominator

Worked examples

Real problems from the practice worksheets, solved one step at a time.

1. Example 1

   2/6 − 1/6 = ?

   1. The denominators are the same (6), so the pieces are the same size.
   2. Subtract the numerators and keep the denominator: 2 − 1 = 1, so the difference is 1/6.
   3. So 2/6 − 1/6 = 1/6.

   Answer: 1/6

2. Example 2

   A jug held 5/6 of a gallon of juice. Leo poured out 1/6 of a gallon. How much juice is left in the jug?

   1. Write the story as a number sentence: 5/6 − 1/6.
   2. The denominators are the same (6), so the pieces are the same size.
   3. Subtract the numerators and keep the denominator: 5 − 1 = 4, so the difference is 4/6.
   4. So 5/6 − 1/6 = 4/6.

   Answer: 4/6

3. Example 3

   Leo had 11/12 of a yard of ribbon and used 1/12 of a yard to make a bow. How much ribbon is left?

   1. Write the story as a number sentence: 11/12 − 1/12.
   2. The denominators are the same (12), so the pieces are the same size.
   3. Subtract the numerators and keep the denominator: 11 − 1 = 10, so the difference is 10/12.
   4. So 11/12 − 1/12 = 10/12.

   Answer: 10/12