Subtracting Fractions With Unlike Denominators Worksheets for 5th Grade

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Grade 5MathFractionsCCSS 5.NF.A.1

Skill: Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators and simplifying the answer

Preview of the Subtracting Fractions With Unlike Denominators printable worksheet
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Teaching tips and what to try next

Rename both fractions with a common denominator before subtracting, then simplify. Estimating first (is the answer more or less than 1/2?) catches mistakes. Pair with Adding Fractions With Unlike Denominators, and review Simplifying Fractions if needed.

10 versions, each with its own answer key

Same skill and layout, a fresh set of problems in every version, so children can keep practicing without repeating a page. Problems are not repeated between versions unless a skill has only a small number of possible problems (for example, the addition facts within 10).

Download all 10 versions (one PDF)All 10 answer keys (PDF)

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About this worksheet

This fifth grade fractions worksheet has 12 subtraction problems such as 5/6 - 1/4, where the two fractions have different denominators. Every fraction on the page is already in simplest form, the denominators range from 2 to 12, and every difference is positive. Children write each answer in simplest form.

It is the natural partner to adding fractions with unlike denominators. Some problems use denominators where one is a multiple of the other, but most need a new common denominator, such as 21 for 2/3 - 1/7. Each of the 10 versions has new problems.

How to use it: have your child find a common denominator first. Multiplying the two denominators always works, and the least common multiple keeps numbers smaller. Rewrite both fractions as equivalent fractions with that denominator, subtract the numerators, and keep the denominator. Then check whether the answer can be simplified by dividing the numerator and denominator by the same number. A fraction strip chart is a handy check for problems with small denominators.

The answer key gives every difference in simplest form. For more practice, try our Adding Unlike Fractions and Simplifying Fractions worksheets.