How to subtract mixed numbers with denominators of 3 and 5?

Question

asked Oct 28, 2019 115k views

1 Answer

Louis · Answer 1 · 2019-11-03T19:29:53+0000

I think this is best illustrated by an example:-

3 2/3 - 2 1/5 Convert to improper fraction:-

= 11/3 - 11/5

Convert to lowest common denominator which is 15:-

11/3 * 5/5 = 55/15 and 11/5 * 3/3 = 33/5

Now we subtract:-

55/15 - 33/15 = 22/15

Simplifying 22/15 = 1 7/15 <------- the answer