Question

8 2/5 - 5 3/5 need help solving step by step

Answer 1

Answer: 2 and 4/5

Explanation: To subtract mixed numbers, first subtract the fractions. Notice here however that we have 2/5 - 3/5 which will give us a negative fraction. Since this will cause us a lot of trouble, instead, let's rewrite the first mixed number.

We can do this by thinking of 8 and 2/5 as 7 + 1 and 2/5 or 7 + 7/5 by changing 1 and 2/5 to the improper fraction 7/5. So 8 and 2/5 can be written as 7 and 7/5.

So we have 7 and 7/5 - 5 and 3/5.

Now, subtract the fractions. So we have 7/5 - 3/5 which is 4/5. Then subtract the whole numbers so we have 8 - 5 which is 2.

2 and 4/5 is in lowest terms so 8 and 2/5 - 5 and 3/5 is 2 and 4/5.