IXL | Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators: word problems

Malia ran 7/8 of a mile and walked 1/2 of a mile. How much farther did Malia run than walk?

Write your answer as a fraction or as a whole or mixed number.

miles

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Learn with an example

question

Over the weekend, Shawn drank 3/4 of a bottle of soda and Evelyn drank 5/8 of a bottle. How much more soda did Shawn drink than Evelyn?

Write your answer as a fraction or as a whole or mixed number.

bottles

solution

Find how much more soda Shawn drank by subtracting 5/8 from 3/4.

You can use 8 as the common denominator.

Multiply the numerator and the denominator of

by 2 to find an equivalent fraction.

3 × 2

4 × 2

Now subtract the fractions. Subtract the numerators and keep the denominators the same.

−

Shawn drank 1/8 of a bottle more soda than Evelyn.

Looking for more? Try these:

Lesson: Adding fractions with unlike denominators

Lesson: Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators

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Teacher tools

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Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

U.4Add fractions with unlike denominators

U.6Subtract fractions with unlike denominators

T.4Add and subtract fractions with like denominators: word problems

Lesson: Adding fractions with unlike denominators

Lesson: Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators

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