Question

Mai-li has 6 1/3 yd of material. Her new skirt will take 2 1/3 yd. How much material will she have left after the skirt is made?

A. 8 yd
B. 8 2/3 yd
C. 4 yd
D. 12 2/3

Answer 1

6 1/3 – 2 1/3 = 4
She'll have 4 yards left over.

Answer 2

C. 4 yd

Explanation:

6 1/3 and 2 1/3 are mixed numbers because they are a combination of a whole number and a fraction. They could be represented like:

6 1/3 = 6 + 1/3

2 1/3 = 2 + 1/3

To substact them, we need to convert the integer into a fraction. Since 6 = 6/1, we can multiply the numerator a denominator by 3 to get an equivalent fraction. We will do the same with 2 1/3.

6 + 1/3 = 6/1 + 1/3 = 6/1 × (3/3) + 1/3 = 18/3 + 1/3 = 19/3

2 + 1/3 = 2/1 + 1/3 = 2/1 × (3/3) + 1/3 = 6/3 + 1/3 = 7/3

The remaining material will be:

19/3 - 7/3 = 12/3 = 4

There will be 4 yd left.