Question

Using the models, subtract


.

Two rectangles divided into 5 equal parts. The first rectangle has 2 parts shaded. The second rectangle has 1 part shaded.

Answer 1

We are subtracting 2/5 − 1/5.

Because the rectangles are both split into 5 equal parts (same denominator), subtract the shaded parts: (2 − 1)/5 = 1/5.

Model:
First rectangle (2 of 5 shaded): [██□□□]
Subtract second rectangle (1 of 5 shaded): − [█□□□□]
Remaining: [█□□□□] = 1/5.