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What is 1/4 minus 1/2?

Answer
1/4 − 1/2 = −14
Fraction
−14
Decimal
−0.25
Percent
-25%

Step by step

  1. Find a common denominator
    The lowest common denominator of 4 and 2 is 4.
    1/4 = (1 × 1)/(4 × 1) = 1/4
    1/2 = (1 × 2)/(2 × 2) = 2/4
  2. Subtract the numerators (tops)
    1/4 − 2/4 = -1/4

Check: -1/4 + 1/2 = 1/4 ✓

Picture

1/4
1/2

Each bar is one whole, split into equal parts.

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    Questions people ask

    What is 1/4 minus 1/2?

    1/4 minus 1/2 is -1/4. As a decimal it's −0.25.

    How do you work out 1/4 − 1/2?

    Rewrite both fractions with a common denominator, subtract the numerators, then simplify. The steps above show each line.