ISEE Middle Level Quantitative : How to subtract fractions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Middle Level Quantitative

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Fractions

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

(b) is greater

It is impossible to tell from the information given

(a) and (b) are equal

(a) is greater

Correct answer:

(b) is greater

Explanation:

"Borrow" 1 from the 8 and subtract vertically:

:

 

   

   

 

Example Question #2 : How To Subtract Fractions

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

(a) is greater

(b) is greater

(a) and (b) are equal

It is impossible to tell from the information given

Correct answer:

(b) is greater

Explanation:

"Borrow" 1 from the 6 and subtract vertically:

 

   

   

 

Example Question #3 : How To Subtract Fractions

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

(a) and (b) are equal

(a) is greater

It is impossible to tell from the information given

(b) is greater

Correct answer:

(a) is greater

Explanation:

(a) 

 

(b) 

 

, so .

Example Question #4 : How To Subtract Fractions

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

It is impossible to tell from the information given

(a) is greater

(a) and (b) are equal

(b) is greater

Correct answer:

(a) is greater

Explanation:

Subtract both sides of the two equations:

Since  , then 

Example Question #3 : How To Subtract Fractions

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When subtracting fractions with different denominators, first change the fractions so that they have the same denominator. Do this by finding the least common multiple of both 4 and 8. Some multiples of 4 and 8 are:

4: 4, 8, 12, 16...

8: 8, 16, 24, 32...

Since 8 is the first common multiple between 4 and 8, change the fractions accordingly so that their denominators equal 8. Since  already has a denominator of 8, it does not need to change. Change , however, accordingly. 

The problem now looks like this:

Subtract the numerators. The result is your answer.

Example Question #3 : How To Subtract Fractions

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dealing with fractions and mixed numbers, first convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions.

The next thing you must do is change the denominators so that they are equal. Do this by finding the least common multiple of 2 and 5. Some multiples of 2 and 5 are:

2: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10...

5: 5, 10, 15, 20...

10 is the first common multiple of both 2 and 5, so change the fractions accordingly so that their denominators both equal 10.

The problem now looks like this:

Subtract the numerators of the fraction. The result is your answer. 

Example Question #564 : Number & Operations: €”Fractions

This year, Samantha grew  of an inch, and her brother, David, grew  of an inch. How much more did David grow than Samantha?

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The phrase, "how much more" tells as that we want to find the difference in how much they've grown. 

6

Example Question #565 : Number & Operations: €”Fractions

This year, Cassie grew  of an inch, and her brother, Charlie, grew  of an inch. How much more did Charlie grow than Cassie?

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The phrase, "how much more" tells as that we want to find the difference in how much they've grown. 

9

Example Question #566 : Number & Operations: €”Fractions

This year, Emily grew  of an inch, and her brother, Dan, grew  of an inch. How much more did Dan grow than Emily?

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The phrase, "how much more" tells as that we want to find the difference in how much they've grown. 

6

Example Question #567 : Number & Operations: €”Fractions

This year, Sally grew  of an inch, and her brother, Drew, grew  of an inch. How much more did Drew grow than Sally?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The phrase, "how much more" tells as that we want to find the difference in how much they've grown. 

6

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