Question

Perform the indicated operation 2 1/6- 5 2/3

Answer 1

-3 1/2 or -7/2 or -3.5

Answer 2

`-3(1)/(2)`

Explanation:

`2(1)/(6)-5(2)/(3)\\\\\mathrm{Convert\:mixed\:numbers\:to\:improper\:fractions}:\\\quad 2(1)/(6)=(13)/(6)\\\\(13)/(6)-5(2)/(3)\\\\\mathrm{Convert\:mixed\:numbers\:to\:improper\:fractions}:\\\quad 5(2)/(3)=(17)/(3)\\\\(13)/(6)-(17)/(3)\\\\\mathrm{Least\:Common\:Multiplier\:of\:}6,\:3:\quad 6\\\\\mathrm{Adjust\:Fractions\:based\:on\:the\:LCM}\\\\=(13)/(6)-(34)/(6)\\\\=(13-34)/(6)\\\\=(-21)/(6)\\\\=-(21)/(6)\\\\=-(7)/(2)\\`

`\mathrm{Convert\:improper\:fractions\:to\:mixed\:numbers}:\quad (7)/(2)=3(1)/(2)\\\\=-3(1)/(2)`