How do you evaluate #14\frac { 3} { 5} - 8\frac { 1} { 2} #?

1 Answer
Sep 24, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, convert each mixed number to an improper fraction:

#14 3/5 - 8 1/2 =>#

#(14 + 3/5) - (8 + 1/2) =>#

#([5/5 xx 14] + 3/5) - ([2/2 xx 8] + 1/2) =>#

#(70/5 + 3/5) - (16/2 + 1/2) =>#

#73/5 - 17/2#

Next, we need to put each fraction over a common denominator by multiplying each fraction by the appropriate form of #1#:

#(2/2 xx 73/5) - (5/5 xx 17/2) =>#

#146/10 - 85/10#

Then, we can subtract the numerators over the common denominator:

#(146 - 85)/10 =>#

#61/10#

Now, we can convert this improper fraction into a mixed number if necessary:

#61/10 =>#

#(60 + 1)/10 =>#

#60/10 + 1/10 =>#

#6 + 1/10 =>#

#6 1/10#