Final answer:
The question asks to calculate the difference in the number of cats and dogs at the shelter as a fraction. By finding a common denominator and subtracting the fractions, we determine that there are 7/24 more cats at the shelter than dogs.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find out how many more cats there are at the shelter than dogs as a fraction, we need to calculate the difference between the fraction of animals that are cats and the fraction of animals that are dogs. According to the question, 5/8 of the animals are cats and 1/3 are dogs. To compare these fractions, they need to have a common denominator.
Let's convert both fractions to have a common denominator:
- For cats: 5/8 is already simplified.
- For dogs: We can convert 1/3 into a fraction with 24 as the denominator because 24 is a common multiple of 8 and 3. Thus, 1/3 equals 8/24.
Now, to compare the two:
- Cats: 5/8 = 15/24 (after multiplying both the numerator and denominator by 3)
- Dogs: 1/3 = 8/24
The difference in fractions will be:
15/24 (cats) - 8/24 (dogs) = 7/24
Therefore, there are 7/24 more cats at the shelter than dogs.