Question

A turtle is 20 5/6 inches below the surface of a pond. It dives to a depth of 32 1/4 inches. What is the change in the turtle’s position? Write your answer as a mixed number.

Answer 1

change=new-original
change=32 and 1/4-20 and 5/6
32 and 1/4-20 and 5/6=
32+1/4-(20+5/6)=
32+1/4-20-5/6=
32-20+1/4-5/6=
1/4 and 5/6
LCD=12
1/4 times 3/3=3/12
5/6 times 2/2=10/12

32-10+3/12-10/12=
12-7/12=
11+12/12-7/12=
11+5/12
the turtle went down so the change is negative

the change is -11 and 5/12 inches