Question

-5/12-(-9/3) Reduce to simplest form

Answer 1

Answer:

2 7/12

Step-by-step explanation:

−512−−93=?

Since the the second fraction is negative and you are subtracting, remove the negative sign and switch the operation to addition.

The equivalent equation is

−512+93=?

The fractions have unlike denominators. First, find the Least Common Denominator and rewrite the fractions with the common denominator.

LCD(-5/12, 9/3) = 12

Multiply both the numerator and denominator of each fraction by the number that makes its denominator equal the LCD. This is basically multiplying each fraction by 1.

(−5/12×1/1)+(9/3×4/4)=?

Complete the multiplication and the equation becomes

−5/12+36/12=?

The two fractions now have like denominators so you can subtract the numerators.

Then:

−5+36/12=31/12

This fraction cannot be reduced.

The fraction

31/12

is the same as

31÷12

Convert to a mixed number using

long division for 31 ÷ 12 = 2R7, so

31/12=2 7/12

Therefore:

−5/12−−9/3=2 7/12