Question

Andy's backpack weighs 2 1⁄4 pounds. If he removes a book that weighs 13 ounces, how much does the backpack now weigh?

Answer 1

2 1/4 pounds is 36 ounces. So 36-13 is 23. His backpack weighs now 23 ounces or 1.4375 pounds

Answer 2

Answer: 23 ounces = 1.4375 pounds

Step-by-step explanation:

First, you have to turn the mixed number of the backpack initial weight into a whole number:

$2 \frac{1}{4}=\frac{(2*4)+1}{4} =\frac{9}{4}$

Then, you can either convert the weight of the backpack to ounces or you can convert the weight of the book to pounds.

1 pound = 16 ounces

Then, the weight of the backpack in ounces would be:

$\frac{9}{4}*16=36$

Finally, you subtract the initial weight of the backpack and the weight of the book removed:

$36-13=23 ounces$

If you want the result in pounds:

$\frac{23}{16}=1.4375 pounds$