Question

5/6-1/8 Solve by finding a common denominator A)30/48 B)34/48 C)38/48 D)42/48

Answer 1

Answer:

  B)  34/48

Step-by-step explanation:

The easiest common denominator to find is the product of the denominators you have.

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The difference is ...

  $\dfrac{5}{6}-\dfrac{1}{8}=\dfrac{5}{6}\cdot\dfrac{8}{8}-\dfrac{1}{8}\cdot\dfrac{6}{6}\\\\=\dfrac{40-6}{48}=\boxed{\dfrac{34}{48}}$

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Additional comment

The difference numerator and denominator have a common factor of 2, so can be reduced to 17/24. The denominator 24 could have been used as the common denominator from the start.

  5/6 -1/8 = 20/24 -3/24 = 17/24 . . . . reduced result

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Using the least common denominator does not always result in a reduced sum or difference. If some other denominator is used (as here), then you can be assured that the result will need to be reduced to get to lowest terms.