How do you evaluate #\frac { 3} { 7} - 2\frac { 5} { 7}#?

1 Answer
Oct 16, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, we need to convert the term on the right from a mixed number to an improper fraction:

#3/7 - 2 5/7 =>#

#3/7 - (2 + 5/7) =>#

#3/7 - ([7/7 xx 2] + 5/7) =>#

#3/7 - (14/7 + 5/7) =>#

#3/7 - 19/7#

We can now subtract the two fractions giving:

#3/7 - 19/7 =>#

#(3 - 19)/7 =>#

#-16/7#

If necessary, we can convert this to a mixed number using this process:

#-(14 + 2)/7 =>#

#-(14/7 + 2/7) =>#

#-(2 + 2/7) =>#

#-(2 2/7) =>#

#-2 2/7#