Question

Perform the calculation 50°21' - 38°48'

Answer 1

11° 33'

Explanation:

`21' = \left((21)/(60)\right)^\circ = \left((7)/(20)\right)^\circ \\50^\circ 21' = 50 (21)/(60)\; degrees\\\\38^\circ 48' = 38 (48)/(60) \;degrees`

Break

`50 (21)/(60) = 49 + 1 (21)/(60)\\`

`1 (21)/(60) = (1 * 60 + 21)/(60) = (81)/(60)`

Therefore

`50^\circ21' - 38^\circ48' = 49(81)/(60) - 38(48)/(60)`

Subtract the whole numbers:
49 - 38 = 11

Subtract the fractions:

`(81)/(60) - (48)/(60) = (33)/(60) = 33'`

So

50°21' - 38°48' = 11° 33'