Final answer:
When subtracting 12 - 7 & 4/5, you convert the mixed number to an improper fraction, subtract whole numbers and fractions separately, and borrow if necessary, resulting in an answer of 4 & 1/5.
Step-by-step explanation:
To subtract 12 - 7 & 4/5, first convert the mixed number to an improper fraction. The mixed number 7 & 4/5 can be converted as follows: (7 × 5) + 4 = 35 + 4 = 39/5. Now, subtract the whole numbers and the fractions separately. Since there is no fraction in the number 12, you can consider it as 12 & 0/5. Therefore, 12 - 7 & 4/5 becomes (12 - 7) & (0/5 - 4/5). This gives:
Whole numbers: 12 - 7 = 5
Fractions: 0/5 - 4/5 = -4/5. Because you cannot have a negative fraction when subtracting from a whole number, you need to borrow 1 from the whole number 5:
5 becomes 4 and 0/5 becomes 5/5. Now, you have:
4 & (5/5 - 4/5) which gives 4 & 1/5.
So, the answer to 12 - 7 & 4/5 is 4 & 1/5.