Question

-5 3/8 -2 11/12 in simplest form

Answer 1

Conversion a mixed number 5 3

8

to a improper fraction: 5 3/8 = 5 3

8

= 5 · 8 + 3

8

= 40 + 3

8

= 43

8

To find new numerator:

a) Multiply the whole number 5 by the denominator 8. Whole number 5 equally 5 * 8

8

= 40

8

b) Add the answer from previous step 40 to the numerator 3. New numerator is 40 + 3 = 43

c) Write previous answer (new numerator 43) over the denominator 8.

Five and three eighths is forty-three eighths

Conversion a mixed number 2 11

12

to a improper fraction: 2 11/12 = 2 11

12

= 2 · 12 + 11

12

= 24 + 11

12

= 35

12

To find new numerator:

a) Multiply the whole number 2 by the denominator 12. Whole number 2 equally 2 * 12

12

= 24

12

b) Add the answer from previous step 24 to the numerator 11. New numerator is 24 + 11 = 35

c) Write previous answer (new numerator 35) over the denominator 12.

Two and eleven twelfths is thirty-five twelfths

Subtract: 43

8

- 35

12

= 43 · 3

8 · 3

- 35 · 2

12 · 2

= 129

24

- 70

24

= 129 - 70

24

= 59

24

For adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions, it is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal, identical) denominator. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of the both denominators - LCM(8, 12) = 24. In practice, it is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 8 × 12 = 96. In the next intermediate step the fraction result cannot be further simplified by cancelling.

In words - forty-three eighths minus thirty-five twelfths = fifty-nine twenty-fourths.