Subtraction of fractions with different (but related) denominators

To subtract fractions with different denominators, we must first convert them to equivalent fractions with the same denominators. At this level students work with related fractions.

\begin{align}1\frac{1}{3} − \frac{5}{6} &= \frac{4}{3} − \frac{5}{6} \text{(convert mixed number to improper fraction)} \\&= \frac{8}{6} − \frac{5}{6} \text{(convert to equivalent fraction with same denominator)} \\&= \frac{3}{6} \\&= \frac{1}{2} \text{(simplify)}\end{align}