Solve the Fraction Subtraction: 1/2 - 1/4 Step-by-Step

Question

Solve the following exercise:

1214=? \frac{1}{2}-\frac{1}{4}=\text{?}

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Solve
00:03 Multiply the fraction by 2 to get to the common denominator
00:07 Make sure to multiply both numerator and denominator
00:14 Calculate the multiplications
00:18 Subtract with the common denominator
00:24 Calculate the numerator
00:27 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the subtraction 1214 \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{4} , follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify a common denominator. Here, the least common denominator of 2 and 4 is 4.
  • Step 2: Convert 12 \frac{1}{2} to a fraction with denominator 4. This involves multiplying both the numerator and denominator by 2: 12=24 \frac{1}{2} = \frac{2}{4} .
  • Step 3: 14 \frac{1}{4} already has the denominator of 4, so we don't need any adjustment there.
  • Step 4: Subtract the numerators: 21=1 2 - 1 = 1 .
  • Step 5: Write the result over the common denominator: 14 \frac{1}{4} .

Therefore, the solution to 1214 \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{4} is 14 \frac{1}{4} .

Answer

14 \frac{1}{4}