Final answer:
To solve 2 3/4 - (-1 1/2), we change the operation to addition and find a common denominator for the fractions, resulting in the final answer of 4 1/4.
Step-by-step explanation:
To perform the indicated operation of subtracting a negative number from a positive mixed number, we follow certain arithmetic rules.
When subtracting a negative, we actually change the operation to addition and then proceed to add the absolute value of that negative number.
In this case, to solve 2 3/4 - (-1 1/2), we convert -1 1/2 to its positive equivalent, which is 1 1/2, and change the subtraction to addition:
Next, we find a common denominator for the fractions, which is 4 in this case, and add them:
- 2 3/4 + 1 2/4 = 2 3/4 + 1 2/4 = 3 5/4.
Since 5/4 is an improper fraction, we convert it to a mixed number:
The final answer is 4 1/4.