How do you subtract #\frac { 13} { 9} - 1#?

1 Answer
Feb 4, 2017

#13/9-1=4/9#

Explanation:

When subtracting numbers with fractions, both numbers must have the same denominator. That can be done by multiplying one or both fraction(s) by another fraction that is equal to #1#. For example, #color(red)(2/2)=1#. So when you multiply a fraction by a fraction that equals #1#, you are really multiplying by #1#.

#13/9-1#

This is the same as #13/9-1/1#

The fraction #1/1# can be multiplied by the fraction #color(red)(9/9)# so that both denominators will be the same.

#13/9-(1xxcolor(red)9)/(1xxcolor(red)9)#

Simplify.

#13/9-9/9#

Place both numerators over the denominator and solve.

#(13-9)/9=4/9#