You can do this 2 ways 1. 6 and 8/12 - 4 and 7/12 --Start by subtracting the wholes. -6-4=2 --Next subtract the individual fractions -8/12-7/12= 1/12 -- All together you would get 2 and 1/12 However most questions might not be this easy (the next way will work every time) 2. 6 and 8/12 - 4 and 7/12 --Start by Making the numbers into improper fractions( that means that the number on top is larger than the one on bottom) -(do this by multiplying the whole (6 or 4) by the denominator (12) then add that number to the numerator of the fraction)
6*12=72 72/12 + 8/12 = 80/12 6 and 8/12= 80/12
4*12=48 48/12 +7/12 = 55/12 4 and 7/12= 55/12 --Next subtract the new improper fractions -80/12-55/12= 25/12 -- last convert this improper fraction into a mixed fraction You do this by seeing how many times the denominator (12) can go into the numerator(25) 12 can go into 25 two times because 12*2=24 This 2 is the whole number
Because 24 is one less than 25 there is 1 left over
This is the numerator of the fraction 2 AND (1/12)
