Subtracting a fraction from a whole number

You may encounter problems in which you want to subtract a fraction from a whole number. For example, subtract fraction from number 1. To solve such an example, imagine the whole 1 as a fraction , and subtract fractions with different denominators:

If there is one whole pizza and we subtract half a pizza from it, we have half a pizza:

Example 2. Find the value of the expression .

Let's represent the number 2 as a fraction , and subtract fractions with different denominators:

If there are two whole pizzas and we subtract half from the bottom, that leaves one whole pizza and half:

Such examples can be solved in your mind. It is enough to be able to reproduce them in your imagination. For example, let's find the value of without doing any calculations on paper.

Let's pretend that the number 3 is three pizzas:

We need to subtract from them. We remember that a third is as follows:

Now imagine what three pizzas would look like if you cut off that third of them

It came out (two whole and two thirds of a pizza).

To see if the solution is correct, you can find the value of the expression by the usual method, presenting the number 3 as a fraction, and subtracting fractions with different denominators:

Example 3. Find the value of the expression

Let's represent the number 3 as a fraction . Then subtract fractions with different denominators:

Exercises

Task 1. Find the value of the expression:

Solution:

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