What is #9##3/5# - #4##1/3#?

1 Answer
Mar 6, 2018

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, we need to convert the two mixed numbers into improper frations:

#9 3/5 = 9 + 3/5 = (5/5 xx 9) + 3/5 = 45/5 + 3/5 = (45 + 3)/5 = 48/5#

#4 1/3 = 4 + 1/3 = (3/3 xx 4) + 1/3 = 12/3 + 1/3 = (12 + 1)/3 = 13/3#

To add or subtract fractions they must be over common denominators:

#48/5 = 48/5 xx 3/3 = (48 xx 3)/(5 xx 3) = 144/15#

#13/3 = 13/3 xx 5/5 = (13 xx 5)/(3 xx 5) = 65/15#

We can next subtract the converted fractions as:

#144/15 - 65/15 => (144 - 65)/15 = 79/15#

If necessary, we can convert this answer back into a mixed number:

#79/15 = (75 + 4)/15 = 75/15 + 4/15 = 5 + 4/15 = 5 4/15#