Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) Basic Math Placement Practice Test

In subtracting mixed fractions, what should you do first?

1. Convert to improper fractions

2. Make denominators the same

3. Add the fractions first

4. Flip the fractions

The correct answer is: Make denominators the same

When subtracting mixed fractions, the first step you should take is to make the denominators the same. This is crucial because fractions need a common denominator to be directly combined or subtracted accurately. Upon achieving a common denominator, you can then adjust the numerators accordingly and perform the subtraction. Ensuring that the denominators align simplifies the process and allows for correct arithmetic operations. While converting to improper fractions might also be a strategy employed by some, especially if it makes arithmetic easier, the fundamental requirement for performing subtraction of fractions remains that they must have the same denominator. Thus, addressing the denominators first paves the way for a straightforward, error-free calculation.