1. Subtracting Mixed Numbers
LESSON 5-5
Additional Examples
A black bear is about 5 ft long. An Alaskan
brown bear is about 7 ft tall. How much taller is an
Alaskan brown bear than a black bear? 1 4 1 2
To calculate the difference in heights, find 7 – 5 . 1 4 2 –
The LCD is 4. Write as . 7 5 1 2 4
Subtract the whole numbers.
Then subtract the fractions. 2 1 4
An Alaskan brown bear is 2 ft taller than a black bear. 1 4
Check for Reasonableness Round each mixed number: ;
Then subtract: 8 – 5 = 3. The answer 2 is close to the estimate.
So, the answer is reasonable. 1 4 2

2. Subtracting Mixed Numbers
LESSON 5-5
Additional Examples
Find 9 – 1 . 2 3
Write 9 as a mixed number. Use 3 for the denominator since
you must subtract . 2 3 3 9 8
Rename 9 as = , or 8 . 2 3 – 1
Then subtract the fractions. 7
Subtract the whole numbers.

3. Subtracting Mixed Numbers
LESSON 5-5
Additional Examples
A two-week-old panda bear weighed pound. At
age one month, the cub weighed pounds. How many
pounds did it gain? 3 4 3 10
To answer the question, find – . 3 10 4
Since < , rename
Estimate – – 1 = 1. 3 10 4 3 10 2
Rename as = , or 13 1
The LCD is 20. Write as . 26 20 13 10 1 3 4 15 20 –
The LCD is 20. Write as . 11 20 1
Subtract.
Check for Reasonableness The answer is close to the estimate of 1. 11 20
The panda bear gained pounds. 11 20