Question

Find the difference between 3 1/12 and 2 1/6. Leave your answer as a proper fraction or mixed number.

Answer 1

`(8)/(6)=1(1)/(3)`

Explanation:

`3(1)/(2)-2(1)/(6)` Fractions cannot be added or subtracted unless they have the same denominator (bottom number)

`(7)/(2)-(13)/(6)` Change to an improper fraction. Multiply the denominator times the whole number (number on the side) then add to the numerator (top number) and place over the the denominator (3*2+1=7→
`(7)/(2)`)

`((7)/(2)*(3)/(3))` -
`(13)/(6)` In order to give both fractions the same denominator, find the least common denominator (LCD = one number that both denominators will divide evenly into) LCD = 6. Then multiply the top and bottom by a number that gives the LCD. We only need to multiply the first fraction top and bottom by 3.

`(21)/(6) - (13)/(6) = (8)/(6)` This is an improper fraction because the numerator is larger than the denominator. To make a mixed number divide the numerator by the denominator and simplify.

`(8)/(6) = 1(2)/(6) = 1(1)/(3)`
`((2)/(6) (divided by)/(divided by)(2)/(2) = (1)/(3))`