Solve: 9/10 - 1/5 - 4/10 Fraction Subtraction Problem

Fraction Subtraction with Mixed Denominators

Solve the following exercise:

91015410=? \frac{9}{10}-\frac{1}{5}-\frac{4}{10}=\text{?}

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Solve
00:02 Multiply the fraction by 2, to match the common denominator 10
00:05 Subtract the numerators
00:08 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Solve the following exercise:

91015410=? \frac{9}{10}-\frac{1}{5}-\frac{4}{10}=\text{?}

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve the problem 91015410 \frac{9}{10} - \frac{1}{5} - \frac{4}{10} , we follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the common denominator.
  • Step 2: Convert all fractions to have this common denominator.
  • Step 3: Perform the subtraction.
  • Step 4: Simplify the resulting fraction, if necessary.

Now, let's apply these steps:

Step 1: The common denominator for the fractions is 10 since this is a multiple of both 10 and 5.

Step 2: Convert 15 \frac{1}{5} to a fraction with denominator 10. To do this, multiply both the numerator and the denominator by 2:

15=1×25×2=210 \frac{1}{5} = \frac{1 \times 2}{5 \times 2} = \frac{2}{10}

Now, our expression is 910210410 \frac{9}{10} - \frac{2}{10} - \frac{4}{10} .

Step 3: Subtract the fractions:

First, subtract 210 \frac{2}{10} from 910 \frac{9}{10} :

910210=9210=710 \frac{9}{10} - \frac{2}{10} = \frac{9 - 2}{10} = \frac{7}{10}

Next, subtract 410 \frac{4}{10} from 710 \frac{7}{10} :

710410=7410=310 \frac{7}{10} - \frac{4}{10} = \frac{7 - 4}{10} = \frac{3}{10}

Step 4: The fraction 310 \frac{3}{10} is already in its simplest form.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 310 \frac{3}{10} .

3

Final Answer

310 \frac{3}{10}

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Common Denominator: Find LCD of all denominators before subtracting fractions
  • Technique: Convert 15 \frac{1}{5} to 210 \frac{2}{10} by multiplying by 2/2
  • Check: Verify 310 \frac{3}{10} cannot simplify further since GCD(3,10)=1 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Subtracting denominators along with numerators
    Don't compute 9/10 - 1/5 = (9-1)/(10-5) = 8/5! This gives completely wrong results because you can't subtract fractions with different denominators directly. Always find a common denominator first, then subtract only the numerators.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

\( \frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{4}= \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just subtract the numerators and denominators separately?

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Because fractions represent parts of different wholes! 15 \frac{1}{5} means 1 part out of 5, while 410 \frac{4}{10} means 4 parts out of 10. You need the same-sized parts (common denominator) to subtract properly.

How do I know which number to use as the common denominator?

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Look for the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of all denominators. In this problem, since 10 is already a multiple of 5, we use 10 as our common denominator. This makes the math simpler!

Do I need to simplify my final answer?

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Always check if your answer can be simplified! For 310 \frac{3}{10} , since 3 and 10 share no common factors except 1, it's already in simplest form.

What if I have more than three fractions to subtract?

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The process stays the same! Find the common denominator for all fractions, convert each one, then subtract from left to right. Work step by step to avoid errors.

Can the answer ever be negative when subtracting fractions?

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Yes! If you're subtracting a larger fraction from a smaller one, you'll get a negative result. For example: 1434=24=12 \frac{1}{4} - \frac{3}{4} = -\frac{2}{4} = -\frac{1}{2}

Why do we work from left to right in this problem?

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Subtraction is not commutative, meaning order matters! We follow the standard order of operations and work from left to right: first 91015 \frac{9}{10} - \frac{1}{5} , then subtract 410 \frac{4}{10} from that result.

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