How do you simplify #3\frac { 2} { 3} - 2\frac { 4} { 11} #?

1 Answer
Oct 22, 2016

#43/33#

Explanation:

First we have to change the mixed numbers into fractions using the
#" "#
following property:

#color(blue)(m a/b=(mb+a)/b)#
#" "#
So,
#" "#
#3 2/3=(3*3+2)/3=color(blue)(11/3)#
#" "#
#2 4/11=(2*11+4)/11=color(blue)(26/11)#
#" "#
#" "#
To subtract fractions we should find common denominator which is
#" "#
the least common multiple of #(11,3)#.

Because #color(red)11# and #color(red)3# are prime numbers then denominator is #color(red)(11*3)#
#" "#
#" "#
#3 2/3-2 4/11#
#" "#
#=color(blue)( 11/3-26/11) #
#" "#
#=(11*color(red)11-26*color(red)3)/color(red)(11*3)#
#" "#
#=(121-78)/33#
#" "#
#=43/33#

#43/33# is the simplest form.