Negative Results
Part of the Factors & Fractions section of Coddy's Pre-Algebra journey. Lesson 32 of 58.
2/5 - 1/2: over 10, that is 4/10 - 5/10. You are taking 5 tenths away from 4 tenths, so the result goes below zero, exactly as 4 - 5 is -1 with whole numbers. The answer is -1/10.
The minus sign belongs to the whole fraction. -1/10 is the point one tenth to the left of 0 on the number line: the same distance from 0 as 1/10, on the other side.
You can see a negative answer coming before you work it out: when the fraction you take away is bigger than the one you start with, the result is below zero. On the board, type the minus sign in front of the fraction, the way you write any negative number.
Challenge
Work out 1/3 - 3/4. The answer is below zero: type it with its minus sign in front.
Try it yourself
Simplify the expression
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Factors & Fractions
1Factors and Multiples
What a Factor IsFactor PairsDivisibility RulesMultiplesPrime or CompositeRecap: Factors and Multiples4What a Fraction Is
Parts of a WholeFractions on the LineA Fraction of a NumberImproper FractionsRecap: What a Fraction Is7Multiplying Fractions
Top Times TopCancel FirstWhole Times FractionA Fraction of a FractionRecap: Multiplying Fractions10Fractions in Stories
Part of a GroupWhat Is LeftSharing a FractionScaling a RecipeRecap: Fraction Stories2Prime Factorization
Factor TreesUsing ExponentsOne Tree per NumberBigger NumbersRecap: Prime Factorization5Equivalent Fractions
Same Amount, New NameSimplifying FractionsSimplify in StepsComparing FractionsRecap: Equivalent Fractions