How To Subtract Fractions From Whole Numbers: 10 Steps - WikiHow

Skip to ContentQuizzes

• PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
• QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
• LOG IN

  Log in

  Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. Facebook Google wikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
• RANDOM

• Home
• Random
• Browse Articles
• TrendingNew
• Quizzes & Games
• All QuizzesHot
• Love Quizzes
• Personality Quizzes
• Fun Games
• Dating Simulator
• Learn Something New
• Forums
• Courses
• Happiness Hub
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow

• Log in / Sign up

Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

• Categories
• Education and Communications
• Studying
• Mathematics

How to Subtract Fractions from Whole Numbers Download Article Co-authored by David Jia

Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Subtracting Fractions from Whole Numbers
|
• Alternate Method
|
• Practice Problems and Answers
|
• Video
|
• Q&A
|
• Things You'll Need

|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was co-authored by David Jia. David Jia is an Academic Tutor and the Founder of LA Math Tutoring, a private tutoring company based in Los Angeles, California. With over 10 years of teaching experience, David works with students of all ages and grades in various subjects, as well as college admissions counseling and test preparation for the SAT, ACT, ISEE, and more. After attaining a perfect 800 math score and a 690 English score on the SAT, David was awarded the Dickinson Scholarship from the University of Miami, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Additionally, David has worked as an instructor for online videos for textbook companies such as Larson Texts, Big Ideas Learning, and Big Ideas Math. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,128,955 times.

Subtracting fractions from whole numbers isn't as hard as it looks. There are two main ways to go about it: you can either convert the whole number into a fraction, or subtract 1 from that whole number and convert the 1 into a fraction with the same base as the fraction you're subtracting from it. Once you have two fractions with the same base, you can start to subtract. Both methods will help you.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Subtracting Fractions from Whole Numbers

Download Article

1. 1 Convert the whole number to a fraction.[1] To do this, give the whole number a denominator of 1.[2] [3]
   • Example: 8 − 4 5 {\displaystyle 8-{\frac {4}{5}}}
   • = 8 1 − 4 5 {\displaystyle ={\frac {8}{1}}-{\frac {4}{5}}}
2. 2 Convert to fractions of like denominators.[4] The original fraction's denominator is also the least common denominator (LCD) of the two fractions. Multiply the top and bottom of the "whole number fraction" by this number so the fractions have the same denominator.[5]
   • 8 1 − 4 5 {\displaystyle {\frac {8}{1}}-{\frac {4}{5}}}
   • = 8 ∗ 5 1 ∗ 5 − 4 5 {\displaystyle ={\frac {8*5}{1*5}}-{\frac {4}{5}}}
   • = 40 5 − 4 5 {\displaystyle ={\frac {40}{5}}-{\frac {4}{5}}}
   Advertisement
3. 3 Subtract the numerators.[6] Now that the fractions have the same denominators, you can treat the numerators as a normal subtraction problem:[7]
   • 40 5 − 4 5 {\displaystyle {\frac {40}{5}}-{\frac {4}{5}}}
   • = 40 − 4 5 {\displaystyle ={\frac {40-4}{5}}}
   • = 36 5 {\displaystyle {\frac {36}{5}}}
4. 4 Convert to a mixed number (optional). If your answer is an improper fraction, you may need to rewrite it as a mixed number:[8] [9]
   • Example: Rewrite 36 5 {\displaystyle {\frac {36}{5}}} as a mixed number.
   • How many times does 5 fit evenly into 36? 5 x 7 = 35, so the whole number portion is 7.
   • What's left over? The whole number portion is equivalent to 35 5 {\displaystyle {\frac {35}{5}}} , so solve 36 5 {\displaystyle {\frac {36}{5}}} - 35 5 {\displaystyle {\frac {35}{5}}} = 1 5 {\displaystyle {\frac {1}{5}}}
   • Combine the whole number and fraction: 36 5 {\displaystyle {\frac {36}{5}}} = 7 1 5 {\displaystyle 7{\frac {1}{5}}}
Advertisement

Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Alternate Method

Download Article

1. 1 Try this for large whole numbers. Did you see how the method above converts the whole number into a fraction, then converts back to a mixed number at the end? This method lets you skip some of that so the fraction only involves smaller numbers.
2. 2 Convert improper fractions to mixed numbers. Skip this step if your fraction is not improper. (An improper fraction has a larger number on top than on bottom.)[10]
   • Example: 11 − 4 3 {\displaystyle 11-{\frac {4}{3}}}
   • = 11 − 1 1 3 {\displaystyle =11-1{\frac {1}{3}}}
   • = 10 − 1 3 {\displaystyle =10-{\frac {1}{3}}}
3. 3 Separate the whole number into 1 and another whole number. For example, rewrite 5 as 4 + 1, or rewrite 22 as 21 + 1.
   • 10 − 1 3 {\displaystyle 10-{\frac {1}{3}}}
   • = 9 + 1 − 1 3 {\displaystyle =9+1-{\frac {1}{3}}}
4. 4 Convert the 1 into a fraction. At this point we're using the method above to solve the part of the problem in the form "1 - (fraction)". The other whole number will stay the same for the rest of the problem.
   • = 9 + 1 − 1 3 {\displaystyle =9+1-{\frac {1}{3}}}
   • = 9 + 1 1 − 1 3 {\displaystyle =9+{\frac {1}{1}}-{\frac {1}{3}}}
5. 5 Multiply to give the fractions like denominators. As described above, multiply the top and bottom of your new fraction so it has the same denominator as the original fraction.
   • = 9 + 1 ∗ 3 1 ∗ 3 − 1 3 {\displaystyle =9+{\frac {1*3}{1*3}}-{\frac {1}{3}}}
   • = 9 + 3 3 − 1 3 {\displaystyle =9+{\frac {3}{3}}-{\frac {1}{3}}}
6. 6 Combine the two fractions. Subtract the numerators to solve the fraction part of the equation.
   • = 9 + 3 − 1 3 {\displaystyle =9+{\frac {3-1}{3}}}
   • = 9 + 2 3 {\displaystyle =9+{\frac {2}{3}}}
   • = 9 2 3 {\displaystyle =9{\frac {2}{3}}}
Advertisement

Practice Problems and Answers

Practice Problems to Subtract Fractions from Whole Numbers

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question

• Question If the whole number is 1, then how am I supposed to make it into a fraction if 1/1 is 1 whole? Donagan Top Answerer As a simple example, let's say we're subtracting ¾ from 1. Convert 1 to 4/4. 4/4 - ¾ = ¼. If the whole number is something else, let's say 6, and you're subtracting ¾, convert the 6 to 24/4. 24/4 - ¾ = 21/4, or 5¼. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 35 Helpful 67
• Question Can you help me with 5 5/6 - 2 2/3 step by step? WOOHP Community Answer 1. 5 5/6 - 2 2/3 = 5 5/6 - 2 4/6 2. 5 5/6 - 2/4/6 = 3 1/6 Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 66 Helpful 98
• Question I'm confused. Can you please give an example? Karianna Wood Community Answer Take 3 - 2/7, for example. What over 7 is 3? 21, because 7 x 3 = 21. So 3 - 2/7 is the same as 21/7 - 2/7. What is 21/7 - 3/7? 21 - 3 = 18. So 21/7 - 3/7 = 18/7. (Optional) Simplify 18/7, which is 2 4/7. Does that help? Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 69 Helpful 76

See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Read Video Transcript

Tips

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Paper

You Might Also Like

How Do You Subtract Fractions? 5 Quick & Easy Steps How toFind Equivalent Fractions How toDivide Fractions by a Whole Number How toSubtract Mixed Numbers How toSubtract How to Add Fractions with Whole Numbers: Student Tutorial How toSolve Fraction Questions in Math How toConvert Improper Fractions Into Mixed Numbers How toAdd and Subtract Fractions Multiplying Fractions with Whole Numbers How toDo Fractions How to Multiply Mixed Fractions How toSubtract Percentages in Math How toTurn an Improper Fraction Into a Mixed Number Advertisement

References

1. ↑ David Jia. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview
2. ↑ https://virtualnerd.com/algebra-1/algebra-foundations/real-number-add-subtract/real-number-subtract/subtract-whole-number-from-fraction
3. ↑ David Jia. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview
4. ↑ David Jia. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview
5. ↑ https://math.libretexts.org/Courses/Fullerton_College/Math_100%3A_Liberal_Arts_Math_(Claassen_and_Ikeda)/10%3A_Appendix/10.02%3A_Fractions_and_Mixed_Numbers/10.2.03%3A_Adding_and_Subtracting_Fractions_and_Mixed_Numbers/10.2.3.02%3A_Subtracting_Fractions_and_Mixed_Numbers
6. ↑ David Jia. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview
7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVMktMqUvn8
8. ↑ https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-school-math-concepts-grade-6/section/5.15/primary/lesson/improper-fractions-as-mixed-numbers-msm6/
9. ↑ David Jia. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview

More References (1)

10. ↑ https://www.mathsisfun.com/improper-fractions.html

About This Article

Co-authored by: David Jia Math Tutor This article was co-authored by David Jia. David Jia is an Academic Tutor and the Founder of LA Math Tutoring, a private tutoring company based in Los Angeles, California. With over 10 years of teaching experience, David works with students of all ages and grades in various subjects, as well as college admissions counseling and test preparation for the SAT, ACT, ISEE, and more. After attaining a perfect 800 math score and a 690 English score on the SAT, David was awarded the Dickinson Scholarship from the University of Miami, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Additionally, David has worked as an instructor for online videos for textbook companies such as Larson Texts, Big Ideas Learning, and Big Ideas Math. This article has been viewed 1,128,955 times. 43 votes - 63% Co-authors: 43 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 1,128,955 Categories: Mathematics Article SummaryX

To subtract a fraction from a whole number, start by converting the whole number to a fraction. Do this by giving the whole number a denominator of 1. For instance, if you’re subtracting 4/5 from 8, convert 8 into the fraction 8/1. Next, multiply the new fraction’s numerator and denominator by the denominator of the fraction that you’re subtracting. In our example, you’d multiply 8/1 by 5 to get 40/5. Now you have two like fractions—that is, two fractions that share the same denominator. Carry out the subtraction problem using just the numerators of the two fractions. In this example, 40-4 = 36. Write the difference between the two numerators over the common denominator to get 36/5. If you want to convert the answer to a mixed fraction, divide the numerator by the denominator. The quotient will become the new whole number, while the remainder will become the numerator of the new fraction. In this case, 36/5 = 7 with a remainder of 1, giving you the mixed fraction 7 and 1/5. For a trick to help subtract a fraction from a very large whole number, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Spanish Italian Portuguese Chinese Russian German French Indonesian Dutch Vietnamese Thai Arabic Korean Hindi Turkish Japanese

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,128,955 times.

Reader Success Stories

• 

  Anonymous

  May 21, 2018

  "the first method given on this site on how to subtract whole numbers was just too simple and straightforward for..." more

More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: David Jia Math Tutor 43 votes - 63% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 43 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 1,128,955

Anonymous

May 21, 2018

"the first method given on this site on how to subtract whole numbers was just too simple and straightforward for..." more

Olivia Espinoza

Apr 23, 2019

"I was doing my review homework for spring break, and I forgot how to subtract fractions. I Googled it, and this was..." more

Lina Register

Dec 1, 2022

"I forgot how to work with fractions and I have an algebra test soon, so I needed to get the hang of it again, and..." more

Anonymous

Sep 20, 2017

"Subtracting from a whole number step by step method was very helpful and simplified. Thanks!"

EmiOluwa Ojomo

Apr 4, 2016

"It just mainly helped me out a lot because I was too embarrassed to ask my mom." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

What Age Is My Brain QuizTake QuizDo I Have Common Sense QuizTake QuizCognitive TestTake QuizIQ TestTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

How Do You Subtract Fractions? 5 Quick & Easy StepsHow toFind Equivalent FractionsHow toDivide Fractions by a Whole NumberHow toSubtract Mixed Numbers

Trending Articles

Psychopath TestWhat Female Body Shape Are You? How to Identify YoursWhat Kind of Cat Am I QuizIf I Were A... Quiz

Trending Articles

Do You Agree with These "Hear Me Out" Character Hot Takes?Do I Have Main Character Energy?Can Your Finger Length Tell Your Personality?What Are Narrow Clavicles? Plus, How to Build Shoulder Width with Exercises

Take the Quiz Everyone Is Talking About

Am I Gay QuizWhat Animal Am I QuizWhat Is My Mental Age QuizHow Well Do I Know My Best Friend Quiz

You've Seen These All Over Your Feed

10+ Scary Phone Numbers to Call360 of the Best Borg Names for Your Next Party: Unique, Historical & MoreWhat Every Domain Expansion Hand Sign Means In Jujutsu KaisenThe Ultimate List of Truth or Drink Questions

Featured Videos

How toPlay Dice (2 Dice Gambling Games)How toPersuade a Girl over TextHow toGive Someone the Silent TreatmentHow toMake Hibiscus Tea

Hot Takes 🔥 🔥 🔥

Do You Agree with These Crazy Hot Takes?Do You Agree with These Pop Culture Hot Takes?Do You Agree With These Fashion Hot Takes?Do You Agree With These Board Game Hot Takes?

Your Daily Dose of Fun!

When Will I Get My First Period QuizAm I a Bruh Girl?Which My Little Pony Am I QuizAm I Cool Quiz

• Categories
• Education and Communications
• Studying
• Mathematics

wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Jobs
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info
• Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Let's go! X --717