Solve: 4 - 3/7 | Subtracting Fractions from Whole Numbers

Q: Why can't I just subtract 4 - 3 = 1?

Because you're subtracting different types of numbers! The 4 is a whole number, but $ \frac{3}{7} $ is less than 1. You must convert 4 to $ \frac{28}{7} $ first so both numbers have the same denominator.

Q: What's the difference between improper fractions and mixed numbers?

An improper fraction like $ \frac{25}{7} $ has a numerator larger than its denominator. A mixed number like $ 3\frac{4}{7} $ shows the whole part and fraction part separately.

Q: How do I convert an improper fraction to a mixed number?

Divide the numerator by the denominator! For $ \frac{25}{7} $: 25 ÷ 7 = 3 remainder 4, so the answer is $ 3\frac{4}{7} $.

Q: Can I leave my answer as an improper fraction?

Yes, $ \frac{25}{7} $ is mathematically correct! However, mixed numbers like $ 3\frac{4}{7} $ are often preferred because they're easier to understand and visualize.

Mixed Number Conversion with Fraction Subtraction

$4-\frac{3}{7}=$

❤️ Continue Your Math Journey!

We have hundreds of course questions with personalized recommendations + Account 100% premium

Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:04 Let's solve this problem!

00:07 First, break down 4 as three plus one.

00:15 Now change the whole number into a proper fraction.

00:23 Subtract using a common denominator.

00:32 Add the result to a mixed fraction.

00:35 And that's the solution to our question!

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

$4-\frac{3}{7}=$

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we will follow these steps:

Step 1: Convert the whole number 4 into a fraction with a denominator of 7.
Step 2: Subtract the fraction $\frac{3}{7}$ from the converted fraction.
Step 3: Simplify the resulting fraction and convert it to a mixed number if possible.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: Convert the whole number 4 to a fraction with denominator 7. We multiply the numerator and denominator by 7 to get $\frac{28}{7}$ .
Step 2: Subtract the fraction $\frac{3}{7}$ from $\frac{28}{7}$ :

$\frac{28}{7} - \frac{3}{7} = \frac{28-3}{7} = \frac{25}{7}$

Step 3: Convert the fraction $\frac{25}{7}$ into a mixed number:

Divide 25 by 7, which gives us a quotient of 3 and a remainder of 4. Thus, the fraction $\frac{25}{7}$ is equivalent to the mixed number $3\frac{4}{7}$ .

Therefore, the solution to the problem is $3\frac{4}{7}$ .

Final Answer

$3\frac{4}{7}$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Convert whole numbers to fractions with same denominator
Technique: Convert 4 to $\frac{28}{7}$ then subtract to get $\frac{25}{7}$
Check: Convert $3\frac{4}{7}$ back: 3 × 7 + 4 = 25 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Subtracting numerator from whole number directly
Don't subtract 4 - 3 = 1 and keep the denominator 7 for $1\frac{0}{7}$ ! This ignores proper fraction operations and gives completely wrong results. Always convert the whole number to a fraction first, then subtract numerators.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

$2\frac{2}{5}+2\frac{2}{5}=$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just subtract 4 - 3 = 1?

Because you're subtracting different types of numbers! The 4 is a whole number, but $\frac{3}{7}$ is less than 1. You must convert 4 to $\frac{28}{7}$ first so both numbers have the same denominator.

How do I convert a whole number to a fraction?

Multiply the whole number by the denominator you need. For example: $4 = \frac{4 \times 7}{7} = \frac{28}{7}$ . This gives you an equivalent fraction that's easier to work with!

What's the difference between improper fractions and mixed numbers?

An improper fraction like $\frac{25}{7}$ has a numerator larger than its denominator. A mixed number like $3\frac{4}{7}$ shows the whole part and fraction part separately.

How do I convert an improper fraction to a mixed number?

Divide the numerator by the denominator! For $\frac{25}{7}$ : 25 ÷ 7 = 3 remainder 4, so the answer is $3\frac{4}{7}$ .

Can I leave my answer as an improper fraction?

Yes, $\frac{25}{7}$ is mathematically correct! However, mixed numbers like $3\frac{4}{7}$ are often preferred because they're easier to understand and visualize.

What if the fraction I'm subtracting is larger than 1?

The same process applies! Convert your whole number to a fraction with the same denominator, then subtract. If you get a negative result, that means you're subtracting a larger number from a smaller one.

🌟 Unlock Your Math Potential

Get unlimited access to all 18 Mixed Fractions questions, detailed video solutions, and personalized progress tracking.

📹

Unlimited Video Solutions

Step-by-step explanations for every problem

📊

Progress Analytics

Track your mastery across all topics

🚫

Ad-Free Learning

Focus on math without distractions

No credit card required • Cancel anytime