(Verse 1)
Yo, it's time to learn a skill so grand,
Subtracting fractions, with a steady hand.
No need to fret, no need to frown,
Just follow these steps, all over town.
Remember a rational number, it's a fraction, you see,
A over B, for you and for me.
Where B ain't zero, that's the golden rule,
From integers to decimals, it's all in your school.
(Chorus)
Subtracting rationals, let's break it down,
A simple process, all over town!
Common denominator, that's the first big plea,
Then subtract the numerators, for you and for me!
Keep the denominator, don't you dare change,
Then simplify your answer, rearrange!
(Verse 2)
Let's start with an example, simple and clear,
You've got 3/4 of a pie, oh dear!
Your hungry friend takes 1/4 away,
How much is left at the end of the day?
The denominators match, they're both a "four,"
So subtract the tops, and ask for no more!
Three minus one is two, so what do we get?
2/4 of the pie, still delicious, I bet!
But wait, we're not done, there's one more stride,
Simplify always, with nothing to hide.
2/4 reduces to 1/2, it's true,
Half of that pie, waiting for you!
(Chorus)
Subtracting rationals, let's break it down,
A simple process, all over town!
Common denominator, that's the first big plea,
Then subtract the numerators, for you and for me!
Keep the denominator, don't you dare change,
Then simplify your answer, rearrange!
(Verse 3)
Now what if the bottoms, they don't quite agree?
Like 1/2 minus 1/3, can't you see?
Our denominators are different, that's the snag,
We need a common one, no time to lag!
Think multiples, common and low,
The least common multiple, watch it grow!
For 2 and for 3, the LCM is six,
So we convert our fractions, no tricks!
1/2 becomes 3/6, it's the same amount,
Multiply top and bottom, make it count!
And 1/3, that turns into 2/6, you see,
Now they've got matching bottoms, happily!
(Verse 4)
So now we have 3/6 minus 2/6, it's true,
The denominators are matched, for me and for you.
Subtract the numerators, three minus two is one,
And keep the denominator, till the job is done.
So 1/6 is our answer, plain to see,
And it can't be simplified, how lovely!
This applies to decimals, too, don't forget,
Like 0.75 minus 0.25, no sweat!
Just line up the decimals, a simple align,
And subtract like whole numbers, feeling fine!
0.75 minus 0.25 is 0.50, you know,
Half a dollar, or half of a show!
(Bridge)
Real-world examples, where can we apply?
Baking a cake, reaching for the sky!
If a recipe calls for 3/4 cup of flour,
And you've used 1/8, in that very hour,
How much more do you need, to make it just right?
Find the common denominator, with all of your might!
Or measuring lumber, for a project so grand,
You cut off 1/2 an inch, with a saw in your hand,
From a board that was 7/8 of an inch,
Subtract those fractions, without a flinch!
(Chorus)
Subtracting rationals, let's break it down,
A simple process, all over town!
Common denominator, that's the first big plea,
Then subtract the numerators, for you
