Question

How much heavier is a 9 1 / 8 pound box than a 2 5 / 6 pound box?

Answer 1

Find common denominators and subtract the two

73/8 pounds and 17/6 pounds
Multiply larger number by 3 and smaller by 4 to make each denominator 24
219/24 - 68/24= 151/24

The simplified answer is 6 7 / 8 pounds

Answer 2

first off, convert them from mixed fractions to "improper" like you saw on the previous one... then you can get their "difference"


`\bf \stackrel{mixed}{9(1)/(8)}\implies \cfrac{9\cdot 8+1}{8}\implies \stackrel{improper}{\cfrac{73}{8}} \\\\\\ \stackrel{mixed}{2(5)/(6)}\implies \cfrac{2\cdot 6+5}{6}\implies \stackrel{improper}{\cfrac{17}{6}}\\\\ -------------------------------\\\\ \cfrac{73}{8}-\cfrac{17}{6}\impliedby \textit{so our LCD is 24}\implies \cfrac{(3\cdot 73)~-~(4\cdot 17)}{24} \\\\\\ \cfrac{219-68}{24}\implies \cfrac{151}{24}\implies 6(7)/(24)`