Fractions

[Sh0t2bts]

Hi All,


I am trying to build a spread sheet to subtract fractions, but I have no
idea where to start.
I know how to do the maths on paper but not on Excel

one example I am trying to start with is:- 3/4 - 1/6

3 1
¬ -- ¬ = ??
4 6


Can any one point me in the right direction.?


Many Thanks

Mark

 

[Ken Wright]

Select 3 cells, format each as Fraction 'up to 2 digits' or whatever works for your data, type 3/4
in the first cell, 1/6 in the second and =A1-A2 in the 3rd, assuming your first two cells were A1
& A2.

 

[Sh0t2bts]

Duh!

That was easy. thanks

BUT

is there a way for doing it so excel shows the maths and how it gets there,
I want it to show Secondary School kids how it is done and then they can
check there work once completed?


Cheers

Mark

 

[Leo Heuser]

Hi Mark

Here's something to experiment with

Use the cells (e.g.) A1, B1 and C1
Format the cells with the custom format ???/???
(try different numbers of question marks)

In C1: =A1-B1

Enter fractions in A1 and B1 like this:

0 space 5/7 (First zero, then a space and then the fraction)

or negative fractions with minus, zero, space, fraction.

--
Best Regards
Leo Heuser
Excel MVP

Followup to newsgroup only please.

 

[Ken Wright]

The only way I can think of is to actually use as many cells as necessary and actually hard code
in all the steps in the form of fractions. That having been said, if you are going to do that
then you may as well use two cells one on top of each other with either an underline or a border
to represent the fraction. This way you can use the Strikethrough option on the fonts to show how
you cancel and reduce a fraction.