Question

Three students were scheduled to give book reports in 1 hour.

After the first report, 2/3 hour remained (HINT: this means the first persons' report was 1/3 of an hour)


The next report took 1/6 hour. What fraction remained?

Answer 1

Subtracting Fractions

When we add or subtract fractions, we always have to make sure that all the fractions involved have a common denominator.

Solving the Question

We're given:

• After the first report,
  `(2)/(3)` hours remained
• The second report took
  `(1)/(6)` hours remained

To find the fraction representing the remaining time, subtract
`(1)/(6)` from
`(2)/(3)`:

`(2)/(3)-(1)/(6)`

⇒ Make both denominators the same; multiply
`(2)/(3)` by
`(2)/(2)` to change its denominator to 6:

`= (4)/(6)-(1)/(6)\\\\= (3)/(6)`

⇒ Simplify the fraction:

`= (1)/(2)`

Therefore,
`(1)/(2)` the hour remained.

Answer

`(1)/(2)` the hour remained