Step by step
- Find a common denominatorThe lowest common denominator of 4 and 2 is 4.1/4 = (1 × 1)/(4 × 1) = 1/41/2 = (1 × 2)/(2 × 2) = 2/4
- Subtract the numerators (tops)1/4 − 2/4 = -1/4
Check: -1/4 + 1/2 = 1/4 ✓
Check: -1/4 + 1/2 = 1/4 ✓
Each bar is one whole, split into equal parts.
1/4 minus 1/2 is -1/4. As a decimal it's −0.25.
Rewrite both fractions with a common denominator, subtract the numerators, then simplify. The steps above show each line.