Question

What is 9 1/6 - 5 5/5

Answer 1

Here is your equation:

$9 \frac{1}{6} - 5 \frac{5}{5}$

To subtract fractions, the denominator must be the same. The denominator is the bottom number in the fraction. The 2 denominators are 5 and 6. In order to make them the same, you have to find the LCM OF 5 and 6. To find it, list the multiples of both numbers and see which is common.

$5- 5, 10, 15, 20, 25,\bf30$

$6-6, 12, 18, 24,\bf 30$

The LCM of 5 and 6 is 30. Now change the mixed numbers so that they have common denominators.

$9 \frac{1 \times 5}{6 \times 5} = 9 \frac{5}{30}$

$5 \frac{5 \times 6}{5 \times 6} = 5 \frac{30}{30}$

Here is your new equation:

$9 \frac{5}{30} - 5 \frac{30}{30}$

Now you have a problem. You're subtracting a smaller fraction from a bigger fraction. That means you need to remove 1 from the whole number and add it to the fraction. Here's how:

$9 \frac{5}{30} \\ \\9-1 = 8\\ \\ 1 = \frac{30}{30} \\ \\ \frac{5}{30} + \frac{30}{30} = \frac{35}{30} \\ \\ 8 + \frac{35}{30} = 8 \frac{35}{30}$

Here is your new equation:

$8 \frac{35}{30} - 5 \frac{30}{30}$

Subtract:

$8 \frac{35}{30} - 5 \frac{30}{30} = 3 \frac{5}{30}$

Since the denominator(top number) is a multiple of the numerator(top number), divide both numbers by the numerator.

$3 \frac{5 \div 5}{30 \div 5} = 3 \frac{1}{6}$

Your answer is $3$ $\frac{1}{6}$