Solve the Fraction Subtraction: 6/10 - 1/3 Step by Step

Fraction Subtraction with Unlike Denominators

Solve the following exercise:

61013=? \frac{6}{10}-\frac{1}{3}=\text{?}

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Solve
00:03 We want to find the smallest common denominator
00:06 Therefore, we'll multiply each fraction by the second denominator to find the common denominator
00:09 Make sure to multiply both numerator and denominator
00:20 Let's calculate the multiplications
00:26 We'll divide by the common denominator
00:33 Let's calculate the numerator
00:39 Reduce the fraction as much as possible
00:43 Make sure to divide both numerator and denominator
00:47 And this is the solution to the problem

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Solve the following exercise:

61013=? \frac{6}{10}-\frac{1}{3}=\text{?}

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve 61013 \frac{6}{10} - \frac{1}{3} , we need to perform the following steps:

  • Step 1: Identify a common denominator. The denominators 10 and 3 have a least common multiple of 30. We will use 30 as the common denominator.
  • Step 2: Convert the fractions to have the common denominator of 30.
    610\frac{6}{10} needs to be converted by multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by 3: 6×310×3=1830 \frac{6 \times 3}{10 \times 3} = \frac{18}{30} 13\frac{1}{3} needs to be converted by multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by 10: 1×103×10=1030 \frac{1 \times 10}{3 \times 10} = \frac{10}{30}
  • Step 3: Subtract the new fractions: 18301030=181030=830 \frac{18}{30} - \frac{10}{30} = \frac{18 - 10}{30} = \frac{8}{30}
  • Step 4: Simplify the fraction 830\frac{8}{30}.
    Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 2: 8÷230÷2=415 \frac{8 \div 2}{30 \div 2} = \frac{4}{15}

Therefore, the result of the subtraction is 415 \frac{4}{15} .

3

Final Answer

415 \frac{4}{15}

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Common Denominator: Find LCD to subtract fractions with different denominators
  • Technique: Convert 610 \frac{6}{10} to 1830 \frac{18}{30} by multiplying by 33 \frac{3}{3}
  • Check: Verify 415 \frac{4}{15} in lowest terms: GCD(4,15) = 1 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Subtracting numerators and denominators separately
    Don't subtract 61013 \frac{6}{10} - \frac{1}{3} as 61103=57 \frac{6-1}{10-3} = \frac{5}{7} ! This ignores the fundamental fraction rule and gives completely wrong results. 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?

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Because fractions represent parts of different wholes! 610 \frac{6}{10} means 6 parts out of 10, while 13 \frac{1}{3} means 1 part out of 3. You need the same denominator to compare them.

How do I find the LCD of 10 and 3?

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List the multiples of each number: 10: 10, 20, 30, 40... and 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30... The first number that appears in both lists is 30, so LCD = 30.

Do I always need to simplify my final answer?

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Yes! Always check if your answer can be simplified. Divide both numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor. 830 \frac{8}{30} becomes 415 \frac{4}{15} when divided by 2.

What if one denominator divides evenly into the other?

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Great! That makes it easier. If you had 61015 \frac{6}{10} - \frac{1}{5} , since 10 ÷ 5 = 2, you'd just convert 15 \frac{1}{5} to 210 \frac{2}{10} and subtract directly.

Can I convert to decimals instead?

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You could, but it's not always accurate. 13=0.333... \frac{1}{3} = 0.333... (repeating), which creates rounding errors. Working with fractions keeps your answer exact.

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