How do you simplify 7/8 - (4/5 + 1 3/4)?

1 Answer
Apr 20, 2018

-67/40

Explanation:

There is a mixed number in the expression. Let's make that an improper fraction:
\color(red)(1(3/4)=4/4+3/4=7/4)
\therefore7/8-(4/5+\color(red)(7/4))
Now make everything common denominator. That means LCM of 8, 5, 4 (which is 40).

Thus:
7/8(5/5)-[4/5(8/8)+7/4(10/10)]

(7(5)-[4(8)+7(10)])/40=(35-(32+70))/40

Now we can apply PEMDAS.

  • Parentheses first: 32+70=102
    (35-102)/40
  • Now subtract:
    -67/40