Subtract Fractions - Arithmetic Step by Step

Subtract 3/8 from 7/8. The denominators already match, so subtract the numerators: 7 - 3 = 4, giving 4/8. Then simplify: 4/8 = 1/2.

subtract-and-simplify Subtracting fractions with the same denominator works just like adding: keep the denominator and subtract the numerators. Always check whether the result can be simplified by dividing both parts by their GCD.

Example

Subtract 3/8 from 7/8, then simplify the result.

highlighted = computed this step

Step 1 — Set up

Set up the fraction expression.

\frac{7}{8} - \frac{3}{8}

Step 2 — Subtract numerators

Subtract the numerators: 7 - 3 = 4.

7 - 3 = \hl{4}

Step 3 — Keep denominator

Keep denominator 8; the numerator is 4.

\frac{7}{8} - \frac{3}{8} = \hlmath{\frac{4}{8}}

Step 4 — Simplify

Simplify the fraction to 1/2.

\frac{4}{8} = \hlmath{\frac{1}{2}}

Step 5 — Result

Read the final result.

\frac{7}{8} - \frac{3}{8} = \frac{1}{2}