Question

Simplify -5 1/6 - (-8 1/2)

Answer 1

`-5(1)/(6)-\left(-8(1)/(2)\right)=-5(1)/(6)+8(1)/(2)\\\\\text{Use commutative property a + b = b + a}\\\\=8(1)/(2)+\left(-5(1)/(6)\right)=8(1)/(2)-5(1)/(6)\\\\\text{We must fin the common denominator}\\\\\text{6 is the multiple of 2}, \text{therefore the common denomintor is 6.}\\\\=8(1\cdot3)/(2\cdot3)-5(1)/(6)=8(3)/(6)-5(1)/(6)=(8-5)+\left((3)/(6)-(1)/(6)\right)=3(2)/(6)=3(2:2)/(6:2)=\boxed{3(1)/(3)}`