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What is the difference of the fractions?
-2 1/2 - (-1 3/4)​

1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

-3/4

Explanation:

First, let's convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions in an effort to make this problem easier to solve.

-2 1/2 as a mixed number is -5/2 and -1 3/4 as a mixed number is -7/4.

Our problem is now -5/2 - (-7/4).

We still can't solve this because the two fractions do not share a common denominator. 4 can serve as one, so -5/2 with a denominator of 4 would be -10/4.

The problem is now -10/4 - (-7/4).

Two negatives make a positive so the problem can be rewritten as -10/4 + 7/4. The final answer is -3/4.

User Bojan Vukasovic
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