Question

How do you solve `3 1/8 -: 2 1/2`?

Answer 1

It's a good idea to first turn everthing into proper fractions.

Explanation:

`3 1/8=(3xx8)/8+1/8=25/8`

`2 1/2=(2xx2)/2+1/2=5/2`

Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying with its inverse:

`=25/8xx2/5=(5xxcancel5)/(cancel2xx4)xxcancel2/cancel5=5/4=1 1/4`

Or:
(but this does not always work)

`25/8div5/2=(25div5)/(8div2)=5/4=1 1/4`