All ISEE Middle Level Quantitative Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Fractions
Which is the greater quantity?
(a)
(b)
(b) is greater
It is impossible to tell from the information given
(a) and (b) are equal
(a) is greater
(b) is greater
"Borrow" 1 from the 8 and subtract vertically:
:
Example Question #2 : How To Subtract Fractions
Which is the greater quantity?
(a)
(b)
(a) is greater
(b) is greater
(a) and (b) are equal
It is impossible to tell from the information given
(b) is greater
"Borrow" 1 from the 6 and subtract vertically:
Example Question #3 : How To Subtract Fractions
Which is the greater quantity?
(a)
(b)
(a) and (b) are equal
(a) is greater
It is impossible to tell from the information given
(b) is greater
(a) is greater
(a)
(b)
, so .
Example Question #4 : How To Subtract Fractions
Which is the greater quantity?
(a)
(b)
It is impossible to tell from the information given
(a) is greater
(a) and (b) are equal
(b) is greater
(a) is greater
Subtract both sides of the two equations:
Since , then
Example Question #3 : How To Subtract Fractions
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
None of these
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?
The phrase, "how much more" tells as that we want to find the difference in how much they've grown.
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?
The phrase, "how much more" tells as that we want to find the difference in how much they've grown.
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?
The phrase, "how much more" tells as that we want to find the difference in how much they've grown.
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?
The phrase, "how much more" tells as that we want to find the difference in how much they've grown.