Solve the Fraction Subtraction: 1/4 - 1/6

You can't subtract fractions with different denominators because they represent parts of different-sized wholes! It's like trying to subtract 1 slice of a 4-piece pizza from 1 slice of a 6-piece pizza - you need equal-sized pieces first.

List multiples of each number: 4: 4, 8, 12, 16... 6: 6, 12, 18... The first number that appears in both lists is your LCD! Here it's 12.

Divide the LCD by each denominator:

• 12 ÷ 4 = 3, so multiply $\frac{1}{4}$ by $\frac{3}{3}$
• 12 ÷ 6 = 2, so multiply $\frac{1}{6}$ by $\frac{2}{2}$

Always check if your answer can be simplified! Since $\frac{1}{12}$ has no common factors between 1 and 12 (except 1), it's already in lowest terms.

Any common multiple works, but using the LCD keeps your numbers smallest and simplest. For example, 24 would also work, but you'd get $\frac{6}{24} - \frac{4}{24} = \frac{2}{24}$, which simplifies back to $\frac{1}{12}$.