MATH 4

Quarter 3 Week 7
Learning Competencies
1. Subtract dissimilar fractions:
1.1. two proper fractions,
1.2. two mixed numbers,
1.3. a mixed number and a proper
fraction,
1.4. a whole number and a proper
fraction, and
1.5. a whole number and a mixed
number.
Learning Objectives
At the end of the
lesson, the learners
shall be able to
subtract two proper
fractions.
1
• A proper fraction is a fraction where the
numerator is smaller than the
denominator (e.g., 2/5, ¾)
 Today you will learn how to
subtract two proper fractions and
that your will start with fractions
that have the same denominator,
then move to those with different
denominators.
• A proper fraction is a fraction where
the numerator (the top number) is less
than the denominator (the bottom
number). This means that the fraction
represents a quantity less than one
whole.
 Subtracting Fractions with
Similar Denominators

Example 1: Subtract 5/8- 3/8

Step 1: Write 5/8 and 3/8 on the board and
explain that they have the same denominator
(8), so we can subtract the numerators directly.
Step 2: Show this visually using fraction strips
or circles divided into 8 parts.
Step 3: Subtract: 5−3=2, so 5/8-3/8= 2/8.
Step 4: Simplify the answer if needed. 2/8
simplifies to ¼.
Answer: 5/8- 3/8= 1/4
 Subtracting Fractions with
Dissimilar Denominators

Example 2: Subtract 3/4-1/3

Step 1: Write ¾ and 1/3 on the board and point out
that they have different denominators (4 and 3).
Step 2: Explain that to subtract these fractions, they
need to have the same denominator. Find the least
common denominator (LCD) for 4 and 3, which is 12.
Step 3: Convert each fraction to an equivalent fraction
with a denominator of 12: ¾= 9/12, 1/3= 4/12
Step 4: Subtract the fractions now that they have the
same denominator: 9/12-4/12= 5/12
Answer: 3/4- 1/3= 5/12
Solve the following:
1. 3/5- 1/5
2. 7/8- ¼
3. 2/3- 1/6
4. 5/12- 1/3
5. 5/6-1/4
 Generalizations
Review the key steps for subtracting two
proper fractions:
For similar denominators: subtract the
numerators directly.
For dissimilar denominators: find the LCD,
convert to similar fractions, then subtract.
 True or False
1. In a proper fraction, the numerator is
always smaller than the denominator.
2. 5/5 is a proper fraction.
3. All fractions with numerators smaller
than their denominators are proper
fractions.
4. 8/3 is a proper fraction.
5. Proper fractions are always less than
2
 Today you will learn how to
subtract one mixed number
from another mixed number.
• A mixed number is a number that
combines a whole number and a
proper fraction. It consists of two
parts: the whole number part (which
is a non-negative integer) and the
fractional part (where the numerator
is less than the denominator).
 Subtracting Mixed Numbers
Example 1: 4 2/5- 2 3/10
Step 1: Write the expression 4 2/5- 2
3/10 on the board.
Step 2: Convert 4 2/5 into an improper
fraction: 4 x 5 + 2 = 22 → 22/5
Step 3: Convert 2 3/10 5 into an
improper fraction: 2 x 10+ 3 = 20 +3= 23
→ 23/10
Step 4: Find a common denominator (the
least common multiple of 5 and 10 is 10):
Convert 22/5 to 44/10 (by multiplying the
numerator and denominator by 2).
Step 5: Subtract the fractions: 44/10- 23/10=
21/10
Step 6: Convert 21/10 back to a mixed
number: 21/10= 2 1/10.
Answer: 4 2/5- 2 3/10= 2 1/10.
 Handling Borrowing When Subtracting
Example 2: 5 ¼- 3 2/3
Step 1: Write 5 ¼- 3 2/3 on the board.
Step 2: Convert both mixed numbers into
improper fractions:
Step 3: Find a common denominator (the least
common multiple of 4 and 3 is 12):
Convert 21/4 to 63/12 (by multiplying the
numerator and denominator by 3).
Convert 11/3 to 44/12 (by multiplying the
numerator and denominator by 4).
Step 4: Subtract the fractions: 63/12-44/12= 19/12
Step 5: Convert 19/12 back to a mixed number:
19/12= 1 7/12.
Answer: 5 ¼- 3 2/3= 1 7/12.
Solve the following:
1. 3 3/5- 1 ¼
2. 7 2/3- 2
2/5
3. 5 ½- 4 1/3
4. 6 ¾- 3 2/5
5. 8 2/3- 5
1/6
 Generalizations
• Review the steps for subtracting two
mixed numbers, emphasizing the
importance of converting to improper
fractions and finding a common
denominator.
Solve the following:
1. 5 2/3- 2 ¼
2. 7 ½- 3 2/5
3. 6 3/5- 2 ½
4. 8 ½- 5 1/3
5. 10 2/5- 4
3/10
Learning Objectives
At the end of the
lesson, the learners
shall be able to
subtract a mixed
number and a proper
fraction.
3
A proper fraction has a numerator smaller
than the denominator (e.g., 2/5, 3/8).
Mixed Numbers: has a whole number and
a proper fraction (e.g., 2 ¼, 3 3/5).
 Today you will learn how to
subtract a proper fraction from a
mixed number, which
sometimes requires converting
the mixed number to make
subtraction easier.
• A mixed number is a number that
combines a whole number and a
proper fraction. Mixed numbers
represent values greater than one
and are commonly used to express
measurements, quantities, and
values that include both whole and
fractional parts.
 Subtracting Without Borrowing
Example 1: 3 5/8- 3/8
Step 1: Write the mixed number and the fraction
on the board: 3 5/8- 3/8
Step 2: Explain that the denominators are the
same (8), so we only need to subtract the
numerators of the fractions.
Step 3: Subtract the fractions: 5/8- 3/8= 2/8.
Step 4: Simplify 2/8 to ¼.
Step 5: Bring down the whole number (3), so the
final answer is 3 ¼.
Answer: 3 5/8- 3/8= 3 ¼.
Finding a Common Denominator with Models:
• To subtract fractions with different
denominators, we need a common
denominator.
• For example, to subtract ¾ and ⅓, find
the least common multiple (LCM) of 4
and 3, which is 12.
• Convert ¾ to 9/12 and ⅓ to 4/12 by
dividing each fraction into twelfths.
 Subtracting Using Models:
• Now, subtract 4/12 from 9/12 by
shading parts of the models or drawing
to show what is left.

• This gives 5/12, showing that Tom has

5/12 of the pizza left.
 Subtracting with Borrowing
Example 2: 4 ¼- 2/3
Step 1: Write 4 ¼- 2/3 on the board.
Step 2: Explain that the denominators are
different (4 and 3), so we first find a
common denominator. The LCD of 4 and 3
is 12.
Step 3: Convert both fractions to have a
denominator of 12: 1/4=3/12
2/3= 8/12
Step 4: Show that 3/12- 8/12 isn’t possible
because 3 is smaller than 8.
Step 5: Explain that we need to borrow 1 from
the whole number (4), making it 3. We then
add 12/12 to the fraction, so: 3 15/12.
Step 6: Now subtract the fractions: 12/12-
8/12= 7/12.
Step 7: Bring down the whole number (3), so
the final answer is 3 7/12.
Answer: 4 ¼- 2/3= 3 7/12.
Solve the following:
1. 2 5/6- 1/6
2. 5 3/8- 5/8
3. 4 2/5- ¾
4. 6 1/3- 5/6
5. 7 2/5- 3/7
 Generalizations
Review the two methods: subtracting
without borrowing and with borrowing.
Emphasize when to use each method,
especially highlighting when borrowing
is necessary.
 Solve the following:
Part 1: Without Borrowing
1. 4 3/5- 2/5
2. 5 7/8- 5/8
3. 3 6/7- 4/7
Part 2: With Borrowing
4. 5 ¼- 2/3
5. 4 ½- 3/4
Learning Objectives
At the end of the
lesson, the learners
shall be able to
subtract a whole
number and a proper
fraction.
4
Whole Numbers: Numbers without
fractions or decimals, such as 1, 2, 3, etc.
Proper Fractions: Fractions where the
numerator is less than the denominator,
representing a value less than one (e.g.
¼, 2/5)
 Today you will learn how to
subtract a proper fraction from a
whole number, which
sometimes requires us to
“borrow” a whole from the
whole number.
• A whole number is a number without
any fractional or decimal part. Whole
numbers include zero and all positive
numbers without fractions, such as 0, 1,
2, 3, and so on. They are used for
counting and basic arithmetic
operations.
Subtracting a Proper Fraction from a Whole Number Without
Borrowing
Example 1: 3- ¼
Step 1: Write the expression 3- ¼ on the board.
Step 2: Explain that 3 can be viewed as "3 wholes,"
and it’s helpful to imagine these as fraction pieces
if needed.
Step 3: Show that since we are subtracting only a
small part (1/4), the answer will still include some
whole number and a fractional part.
Step 4: Subtract by keeping the whole number part
separate: 3- ¼ = 2 ¾
Answer: 3- ¼ = 2 ¾
Subtracting a Proper Fraction from a Whole Number with
Borrowing
Example 2: 2- ¾
Step 1: Write 2- ¾ on the board.
Step 2: Explain that to subtract ¾ from 2, we will
need to break down 2 into 1 whole and 4 fourths,
making it 1 4/4.
Step 3: Convert 2 into 1 4/4 so that we can subtract
¾ from the fraction part.
Step 4: Subtract the fractions: 4/4 =3/4 = ¼.
Step 5: The answer will be the whole number left
(1) plus the remaining fraction, so the answer is 1 ¼.
Answer: 2- ¾ = 1 ¼.
Solve the following:
1. 6- 1/5
2. 7- 2/3
3. 3- 5/6
4. 5- 7/10
5. 8- 3/4
 Generalizations
Review the steps for subtracting a
proper fraction from a whole number,
emphasizing when to borrow.
Reinforce the concept by summarizing
how to approach each type of problem
 Word Problems
1. Sam has 5 liters of juice. He drinks ¾ liter.
How much juice does he have left?
2. A garden has 6 meters of fencing. After using
2/3 meter for a small area, how much fencing
is left?
3. There are 9 books on a shelf. If you take
away 2/5 of a book (considering a fraction of a
book represents a part of the book), how many
books remain?
4. A container holds 10 gallons of water. If
½ gallon is used, how much water is still in
the container?
5. A recipe requires 4 cups of flour. If you
use ½ cup, how much flour is left?
Learning Objectives
At the end of the
lesson, the learners
shall be able to
subtract a whole
number and a mixed
number.
5
• Whole Numbers: Define whole numbers as
numbers without fractions or decimals (e.g.,
0, 1, 2, 3).

• Mixed Numbers: Define mixed numbers

as a combination of a whole number
and a proper fraction (e.g., 2 1/4, 3 2/5).
 Today you will learn how to
subtract a whole number from a
mixed number.
 Scenario:

Imagine you have 5 liters of juice in

a container, and you need to pour
out 2 ½ liters for a recipe. How
much juice will be left?
• Whole numbers are integers that
include zero and positive counting
numbers, while mixed numbers are a
combination of a whole number and a
fraction.
Subtracting a Whole Number from a Mixed Number

Example 1: 3 2/5-2
Step 1: Write the expression 3 2/5-2 on the
board.
Step 2: Explain that 3 2/5 can be viewed as 3
wholes and 2/5 as a part of a whole.
Step 3: To subtract, first focus on the whole
number part: 3-2= 1.
Step 4: Combine the whole number result
with the fractional part: 1 2/5.
Answer: 3 2/5-2= 1 2/5.
Subtracting a Mixed Number from a Whole Number
Example 2: 5- 2 1/3
Step 1: Write 5-2 1/3 on the board.
Step 2: Convert 5 into a mixed number: 5= 4 3/3
(4 wholes and 3 thirds).
Step 3: Now, subtract the mixed number: 43/3- 2
1/3.
Step 4: Subtract the whole numbers first: 4-2= 2.
Step 5: Then subtract the fractions: 3/3- 1/3=
2/3.
Step 6: Combine the results: 2+ 2/3 = 2 2/3.
Answer: 5- 2 1/3= 2 2/3.
Solve the following:

1. 4 ½- 1
2. 7- 3 ¼
3. 5 2/3- 4
4. 8- 2 5/6
5. 3 ¾-2
 Generalizations
Review the steps for subtracting a whole
number from a mixed number and vice
versa.
Reinforce the concept by summarizing
how to approach each type of problem.
 Word Problems
1. Sarah has 5 meters of ribbon. She cuts off 2
2/5 meters for a project. How much ribbon does
she have left?
2. A water tank holds 10 gallons. After using 3 ½
gallons for a party, how much water is left in the
tank?
3. There are 7 apples in a basket. If you take
away 3 ¼ apples, how many apples are
remaining?
4. A bookshelf has 6 shelves. If 2 1/3
shelves are filled with books, how many
shelves are still empty?
5. A cookie jar contains 9 cookies. If 4 1/2
cookies are eaten, how many cookies are
left in the jar?