Here's how to subtract 1/1 from 1/2:
|
||||||||||||
Step 1We can't subtract two fractions with different denominators. So you need to get a common denominator. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator. So we multiply 1 by 1, and get 1. Then we multiply 1 by 2, and get 2. Next we give both terms new denominators -- 2 × 1 = 2. So now our fractions look like this:
|
||||||||||||
Step 2Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators. 1 − 2 = -1 So the answer is:
|
||||||||||||
Step 3Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction? To find out, we try dividing it by 2... No good. 2 is larger than -1. So we're done reducing. There you have it! The final answer is:
|