How do you simplify # (8/125) -1/3#?

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Answer 1 · 2016-03-17T06:00:03

#8/125-1/3=color(blue)(-101/375)#

In order to add or subtract fractions, they must have the same denominator, which is called the least common denominator (LCD).

#8/125-1/3#

Find the LCD by prime factorization of both denominators.

#125=5xx5xx5#
#3=3#

Multiply the prime factors to get the LCD.

#"LCD"=3xx5xx5xx5=375#

Multiply each fraction by a factor that will give each fraction the denominator #375#.

#(8/125xx3/3)-(1/3xx125/125)#

Simplify.

#24/375-125/375=#

#(-101)/375=#

#-101/375#