Question

I need to understand the last step of this problem. We do not understand how 4 - 1/4 =3 3/4

Answer 1

Step 1: We add the available piece of fabrics she has, that is;

`2(1)/(2)+4(1)/(4)`

We can convert the mixed fraction to an improper fraction as;

`(5)/(2)+(17)/(4)`

Also;

`(5)/(2)=(10)/(4)`

Then;

`\begin{gathered} (5)/(2)+(17)/(4)=(10)/(4)+(17)/(4) \\ (5)/(2)+(17)/(4)=(27)/(4) \end{gathered}`

So, to get the remainder, we deduct from the number of yards needed to make the quilt.

`10(1)/(2)-(27)/(4)`

Also, we change the mixed fraction to an improper fraction, we have;

`(21)/(2)-(27)/(4)`

But;

`(21)/(2)=(42)/(4)`
`\begin{gathered} (21)/(2)-(27)/(4)=(42)/(4)-(27)/(4) \\ (21)/(2)-(27)/(4)=(15)/(4) \end{gathered}`

Then, we can put the improper fraction back to mixed fraction, we have;

`(15)/(4)=3(3)/(4)`

CORRECT OPTION: C

Similarly,

`\begin{gathered} 4-(1)/(4) \\ 3+1-(1)/(4) \\ 3+(3)/(4) \\ 3(3)/(4) \end{gathered}`

OR

`\begin{gathered} (4)/(1)-(1)/(4) \\ \text{The lowest common multiple of the denominator is 4;} \\ (4(4)-1(1))/(4)=(16-1)/(4)=(15)/(4) \\ =3(3)/(4) \end{gathered}`