How do you subtract #9\frac { 7} { 15}- 7\frac { 1} { 3}#?

1 Answer
smendyka
Aug 8, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, we need to convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions:

#9 7/15 - 7 1/3 =>#

#(9 + 7/15) - (7 + 1/3) =>#

#([15/15 xx 9] + 7/15) - ([3/3 xx 7] + 1/3) =>#

#(135/15 + 7/15) - (21/3 + 1/3) =>#

#142/15 - 22/3#

Next, we need to get both fractions over a common denominator so we can subtract. To do this multiply the fraction on the right by the appropriate form of #1#:

#142/15 - (5/5 xx 22/3) =>#

#142/15 - 110/15#

We can then subtract the numerators over the common denominator:

#(142 - 110)/15 =>#

#32/15#

Now, if necessary, we can convert this to a mixed number:

#(30 + 2)/15 =>#

#30/15 + 2/15 =>#

#2 + 2/15 =>#

#2 2/15#

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