# Subtract Mixed Numbers

Learn how to Subtract Mixed Numbers in few simple steps.

Use the following steps for subtracting mixed numbers.

1. Subtract the whole number of second mixed number from whole number of the first mixed number.
2. Subtract the second fraction from the first one. If the second fraction is bigger than the first fraction, borrow 1 whole number from first mixed number.
3. Find the Least Common Denominator (LCD) if necessary.
4. Add the result of whole numbers and fractions.

### Example 1:

Subtract . $$2 \ \frac{3}{5} \ – \ 1 \ \frac{1}{3} =$$

Rewriting our equation with parts separated, $$2 \ + \ \frac{3}{5} \ – \ 1 \ – \ \frac{1}{3}$$
Solving the whole number parts $$2 \ – \ 1=1$$ , Solving the fraction parts, $$\frac{3}{5} \ – \ \frac{1}{3}=\frac{9 \ – \ 5}{15}=\frac{4}{15}$$
Combining the whole and fraction parts, $$1 \ + \ \frac{4}{15}=1 \ \frac{4}{15}$$

### Example 2:

Subtract . $$5 \ \frac{5}{8} \ – \ 2 \ \frac{1}{4} =$$

Rewriting our equation with parts separated, $$5 \ +\ \frac{5}{8} \ – \ 2 \ – \ \frac{1}{4}$$
Solving the whole number parts $$5 \ – \ 2=3$$ , Solving the fraction parts, $$\frac{5}{8} \ – \ \frac{1}{4}=\frac{5 \ – \ 2}{8}=\frac{3}{8}$$
Combining the whole and fraction parts, $$3 \ + \ \frac{3}{8}=3 \ \frac{3}{8}$$

Combining the whole and fraction parts, $$3 \ + \ \frac{3}{8}=3 \ \frac{3}{8}$$

### Example 3:

Subtract . $$5 \ \frac{2}{3} \ – \ 2 \ \frac{1}{4} =$$

Rewriting our equation with parts separated, $$5+\frac{2}{3}–2-\frac{1}{4}$$
Solving the whole number parts $$5-2=3$$, Solving the fraction parts, $$\frac{2}{3}-\frac{1}{4}=\frac{8-3}{12}=\frac{5}{12}$$
Combining the whole and fraction parts, $$3+\frac{5}{12}=3 \ \frac{5}{12}$$

### Example 4:

Subtract . $$3 \ \frac{4}{5} \ – \ 1 \ \frac{1}{2} =$$

Rewriting our equation with parts separated, $$3+\frac{4}{5}-1-\frac{1}{2}$$
Solving the whole number parts $$3-1=2$$, Solving the fraction parts, $$\frac{4}{5}-\frac{1}{2}=\frac{3}{10}$$
Combining the whole and fraction parts, $$2+\frac{3}{10}=2 \ \frac{3}{10}$$

## Exercises

### Subtract.

• $$\color{blue}{4\frac{1}{2}-3\frac{1}{2}}$$
• $$\color{blue}{3\frac{3}{8}-3\frac{1}{8}}$$
• $$\color{blue}{6\frac{3}{5}-5\frac{1}{5}}$$
• $$\color{blue}{2\frac{1}{3}-1\frac{2}{3}}$$
• $$\color{blue}{6\frac{1}{6}-5\frac{1}{2}}$$
• $$\color{blue}{3\frac{1}{3}-1\frac{1}{3}}$$

• $$\color{blue}{1}$$
• $$\color{blue}{\frac{1}{4}}$$
• $$\color{blue}{1\frac{2}{5}}$$
• $$\color{blue}{\frac{2}{3}}$$
• $$\color{blue}{\frac{2}{3}}$$
• $$\color{blue}{2}$$