How do you subtract #6- 4\frac { 1} { 8}#?

1 Answer
Jan 2, 2017

#1 7/8#

Explanation:

This type of fraction question can be done easily by inspection,
if you keep the following in mind.

#1 = 3/3 = 8/8 = 12/12 = 19/19 = 30/30 ...# and so on.

The numerator and denominator are the same.

Therefore: #3/5 + 2/5 = 5/5=1" and " 2/7+5/7 = 7/7=1# etc

Also: #1-5/8 = 3/8" and "1-4/9 = 5/9# etc

and: #7-2/5 = 6 3/5" and "3-4/9 = 2 5/9#

To subtract a mixed number from a whole number:

Subtract the whole number, then subtract the fraction:

#6-4 1/8 # can be thought of as #6 - 4 -1/8#

#(6-4)-1/8#

#=2-1/8#

#=1 7/8#

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Or think of #6 -4 1/8# as

#(5+1) - (4 +1/8)#

#=(5-4) +(1-1/8)#

#= 1 +7/8#

#1 7/8#