# How to Subtract a Whole Number from a Fraction

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Subtracting a whole number from a fraction might be tricky but this step by step guide helps you on how to subtract a whole number from a fraction easily.

For Example,  $\mathbf{\frac{3}{2}&space;-&space;7}$

## Steps

1. Convert the whole number into Fraction and Rewrite.

$\\\mathbf{\frac{3}{2}&space;-&space;7}&space;\\&space;\\\mathbf{\frac{3}{2}&space;-&space;\frac{7}{1}}$

2. Find the least common denominator (LCD) of the two fractions and multiply the numerator and denominator of the whole number fraction by LCD.

$\\\mathbf{\frac{3}{2}&space;-&space;\frac{7}{1}}&space;\\&space;\\\mathbf{\frac{3}{2}&space;-&space;\frac{7*2}{1*2}}&space;\\&space;\\\mathbf{\frac{3}{2}&space;-&space;\frac{14}{2}}$

3. Subtract the numerators.

$\\\mathbf{\frac{3}{2}&space;-&space;\frac{14}{2}}&space;\\&space;\\\mathbf{\\-&space;\frac{11}{2}}$

4. You can convert to a mixed number if you want.

$\\\mathbf{-\frac{11}{2}&space;}&space;\\&space;\\\mathbf{=&space;-&space;\&space;11&space;\&space;%&space;\2&space;}&space;\\&space;\\\mathbf{=&space;-&space;\&space;5&space;\&space;\frac{1}{2}}$