Add and Subtract Fractions with Common Denominators: example 4.62

Simplify: $\frac{3}{8} + (- \frac{5}{8}) - \frac{1}{8} .$

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

Simplify: $\frac{2}{5} + (- \frac{4}{5}) - \frac{3}{5} .$

How did it go?

	$\frac{3}{8} + (- \frac{5}{8}) - \frac{1}{8}$
Combine the numerators over the common denominator.	$\frac{3 + (−5) - 1}{8}$
Simplify the numerator, working left to right.	$\frac{−2 - 1}{8}$
Subtract the terms in the numerator.	$\frac{−3}{8}$
Rewrite with the negative sign in front of the fraction.	$- \frac{3}{8}$

	$\frac{3}{8} + (- \frac{5}{8}) - \frac{1}{8}$
Combine the numerators over the common denominator.	$\frac{3 + (−5) - 1}{8}$
Simplify the numerator, working left to right.	$\frac{−2 - 1}{8}$
Subtract the terms in the numerator.	$\frac{−3}{8}$
Rewrite with the negative sign in front of the fraction.	$- \frac{3}{8}$