Question

Give the answer in lowest terms 12 1/3 - 5 3/4

Answer 1

6 7/12.

Explanation:

12 1/3 - 5 3/4

= 37/3 - 23/4 The LCD of 3 and 4 is 12 so we multiply the first fraction by 4/4 and the second fraction by 3/3):

(4*37) / 3*4) - (23*3)/(4*3)

= 148/12 - 69/12

= 79/12.

= 6 7/12.

Answer 2

Answer: 6 and 7/12

Step-by-step explanation: To subtract mixed numbers such as 12 and 1/3 - 5 and 3/4, we first subtract the fractions.

Notice that 1/3 and 3/4 are unlike fractions so we need a common denominator which in this case is 12.

To get a 12 in the denominator of 1/3, we multiply the numerator and the denominator by 4 and we get the equivalent fraction 4/12.

To get a 12 in the denominator of 3/4, we multiply the numerator and the denominator by 3 and we get the equivalent fraction 9/12.

Now we have 12 and 4/12 - 5 and 9/12.

Now we can subtract the fractions.

Notice here however that we have 4/12 - 9/12 which will gives us a negative fraction. Since this will cause us a lot of trouble, instead, let's rewrite the first mixed number which is 12 and 4/12.

We can do this by thinking of 12 and 4/12 as 11 + 1 and 4/12 or as 11 + 16/12 by changing 1 and 4/12 into a improper fraction.

So 12 and 4/12 can be written as 11 and 16/12.

So we have 11 and 16/12 - 5 and 9/12 which gives us 6 and 7/12.