Question

5/6-1/8 Solve by finding a common denominator

A)30/48
B)34/48
C)38/48
D)42/48

Answer 1

B) 34/48

Explanation:

The easiest common denominator to find is the product of the denominators you have.

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The difference is ...

`(5)/(6)-(1)/(8)=(5)/(6)\cdot(8)/(8)-(1)/(8)\cdot(6)/(6)\\\\=(40-6)/(48)=\boxed{(34)/(48)}`

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Additional comment

The difference numerator and denominator have a common factor of 2, so can be reduced to 17/24. The denominator 24 could have been used as the common denominator from the start.

5/6 -1/8 = 20/24 -3/24 = 17/24 . . . . reduced result

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Using the least common denominator does not always result in a reduced sum or difference. If some other denominator is used (as here), then you can be assured that the result will need to be reduced to get to lowest terms.