Question

Jacob is 5 5/6 feet tall. Linda is 5 1/4 feet tall. How much taller is Jacob?

Answer 1

This problem boils down to 5/6 - 1/4

To subtract these fractions you need a common denominator.

I'll use 12

The first fraction becomes 10/12 and the second fraction becomes 3/12

10/12-3/12 = 7/12

So Jacob is 7/12 of a foot taller than Linda.

Also note than since 12 inches = 1 foot, you could say Jacob is 7 inches taller than Linda

Answer 2

Find the difference in their heights

5 5/6-5 1/4

The 5s cancel out

5/6-1/4

The LCD is 12
10/12-3/12

7/12

7 inches