What is #4 2/15 - 2 11/45#?

2 Answers
Jul 29, 2018

#1 8/9#

Explanation:

#"one way to calculate the difference is to change the"#
#"mixed numbers into improper fractions"#

#4 2/15=((15xx4)+2)/15=62/15#

#2 11/45=((45xx2)+11)/45=101/45#

#4 2/15-2 11/45#

#=62/15-101/45#

#"before we can subtract we require the fractions to have"#
#"common denominators"#

#"multiply numerator/denominator of "62/15" by 3"#

#=186/45-101/45larrcolor(blue)"subtract numerators"#

#=85/45#

#"cancel the fraction by dividing numerator/denominator by 5"#

#=17/9larrcolor(red)"in simplest form"#

#"since the question used mixed numbers, give the solution"#
#"as a mixed number"#

#=1 8/9#

Jul 29, 2018

#=1 8/9#

Explanation:

You can subtract fractions by working with the whole numbers first. This keeps the numbers smaller but you sometimes have to convert a whole number to a fraction.

#color(blue)(4) 2/15 -color(blue)(2) 11/45#

#= color(blue)(2) (6-11)/45" "larr# make equivalent fractions with LCD

#= color(blue)(1 +1) (6-11)/45#

#= color(blue)(1 +45/45) +(6-11)/45#

#= 1+ (45+6-11)/45#

#= 1 40/45#

#=1 8/9#

Note: this looks like a long process but the step by step details have been shown for clarity. It can be done as follows:

#= color(blue)(2) (6-11)/45#

#= 1 (color(blue)(45)+6-11)/45#

#=1 40/45#

#=1 8/9#