# How do you add or subtract a negative fraction?

Apr 7, 2016

#### Explanation:

Adding a negative fraction $B$ to another fraction $A$ means subtracting the number part of it (that means leaving the minus sign) to $A$

For example if we have to add $\frac{5}{6}$ and $- \frac{1}{3}$, this means, subtracting $\frac{1}{3}$ from $\frac{5}{6}$ or $\frac{5}{6} - \frac{1}{3}$. The latter is equal to $\frac{5}{6} - \frac{2}{6} = \frac{5 - 2}{6} = \frac{3}{6} = \frac{1 \cancel{3}}{2 \cancel{6}} = \frac{1}{2}$

Hence $\frac{5}{6} + \left(- \frac{1}{3}\right) = \frac{1}{2}$.

Subtracting a negative fraction $B$ from another fraction $A$ means adding the number part of it (that means leaving the minus sign) to $A$.

For example if we have to subtract $- \frac{3}{8}$ from $- \frac{1}{4}$ means, adding $\frac{3}{8}$ to $- \frac{1}{4}$ or $- \frac{1}{4} + \frac{3}{8}$ and as $- \frac{1}{4}$ equal to $- \frac{2}{8}$, $- \frac{1}{4} + \frac{3}{8} = - \frac{2}{8} + \frac{3}{8} = \frac{- 2 + 3}{8} = \frac{1}{8}$

Hence $- \frac{1}{4} - \left(- \frac{3}{8}\right) = - \frac{1}{4} + \frac{3}{8} = \frac{1}{8}$.