Question

A month ago, Kerry weighed 123 1/4 pounds. Now he weighs 120 1/2 pounds. How many pounds did he lose?

Answer 1

For this case we have to:

Initial weight =
`123 \frac {1} {4} = \frac {4 * 123 + 1} {4} = \frac {493} {4} = 123.25 \ pounds`

Final weight =
`120 \frac {1} {2} = \frac {2 * 120 + 1} {2} = \frac {241} {2} = 120.5 \ pounds`

We subtract to know how many pounds he lost:

`123.25-120.5 = 2.75`

So, Kerry lost 2.75 pounds.

ANswer:

Kerry lost
`2 \frac {3} {4}` pounds.

Answer 2

Answer:
`2.75\ pounds` or
`2(3)/(4)\ pounds`

Explanation:

You can convert the mixed numbers to decimal numbers. Divide the numerator by the denominator of the fraction and add it to the whole number part:

`123\ (1)/(4)\ pounds=(123+0.25)\ pounds=123.25\ pounds`

`120\ (1)/(2)\ pounds=(120+0.5)\ pounds=120.5\ pounds`

To calculate how many pounds Kerry lost, you need to subtract his weigth of a month ago and his actual weigth.

Therefore, you get that he lost:

`pounds\ lost=123.25\ pounds-120.5\ pounds`

`pounds\ lost=2.75\ pounds` or
`2(3)/(4)\ pounds`