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

At a pie-eating contest, Manuel got through 5/8 of a pie before time was called; Sasha finished just 1/2 of a pie. How much more pie did Manuel eat than Sasha?

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

of a pie

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Learn with an example

question

Planet X is 5/6 of a light-year away from Earth. Planet Y is 2/3 of a light-year away from Earth. How much farther away is Planet X?

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

light-years

solution

Find how much farther away Planet X is by subtracting 2/3 from 5/6.

You can use 6 as the common denominator.

Multiply the numerator and the denominator of

by 2 to find an equivalent fraction.

2 × 2

3 × 2

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

−

Planet X is 1/6 of a light-year farther away than Planet Y.

Looking for more? Try these:

Lesson: Adding fractions with unlike denominators

Lesson: Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators

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Teacher tools

Work it out

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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