How do you subtract #15\frac { 1} { 2} - 10\frac { 3} { 5} #?

1 Answer
Jul 25, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

Step 1) Convert each mixed number into an improper fraction:

#15 1/2 - 10 3/5 => (15 + 1/2) - (10 + 3/5) =>#

#([15 xx 2/2] + 1/2) - ([10 xx 5/5] + 3/5) =>#

#(30/2 + 1/2) - (50/5 + 3/5) =>#

#(30 + 1)/2 - (50 + 3)/5 =>#

#31/2 - 53/5#

Next, we need to get each fraction over a common denominator so they can be subtracted:

#(5/5 xx 31/2) - (2/2 xx 53/5) =>#

#(5 xx 31)/(5 xx 2) - (2 xx 53)/(2 xx 5) =>#

#155/10 - 106/10#

Then, subtract the numerators over the common denominator:

#(155 - 106)/10 =>#

#49/10#

We can now, if necessary, convert this into a mixed number:

#(40 + 9)/10 =>#

#40/10 + 9/10 =>#

#4 + 9/10 =>#

#4 9/10#