Here's how to subtract 7/8 from 6/7:
|
||||||||||||
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 6 by 8, and get 48. Then we multiply 7 by 7, and get 49. Next we give both terms new denominators -- 7 × 8 = 56. So now our fractions look like this:
|
||||||||||||
Step 2Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators. 48 − 49 = -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:
|