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.
