fractions and numbers

Question

im having problems taking numbers like 250 and substracting it froma fraction like 3/4

Answer 1

Sometimes it is easier to see it without so many words.  See if this helps some

250 = 250/1 So, your problem is 250/1 - 3/4.

The common denominator for 1 and 4 is 4.  Therefore, you multiply:

250 x 4           1000

¯¯¯¯‾‾  =       ‾‾‾‾ ; now you have like denominators. Last step is to subtract.

1 x 4                  4

1000/4 - 3/4  or 1000 - 3

                        ‾¯‾¯‾¯¯ ;  Your final answer would be 997/4.

                             4

If you want to change it to a mixed number, just remember that the line between your numerator and denominator means divide.  So, 997 ÷ 4 = 249 with a remainder of 1 (which will be your numerator in the fractional part of your mixed number). Your denominator will be the number you divided by (4).  So, your mixed number would be 249 1/4.

Hope that helps some.

1 x 4                  4

 

Answer 2

Remember how to add fractions?

We have to get a common denominator (the bottom of the fractions must be the same).

so.....  one way is to change both numbers into fractions (since 3/4 can not be turned into a whole number).

250 can be changed to a fraction by dividing it by 1. e.g 250/1

now we have 250/1,  lets multiply both the top and bottom (numerator and denominator) by 4 to get the same denominator as in 3/4.

250/1 * 4/4 (remember how to multiply factions? Just  multiply the tops and multiply the bottoms.

now we have 1000/4 - 3/4.  Once we have the common denominator, we can just add the tops and put it over the bottom.   (1000 - 3) /4

which = 997/4. simplify if possible or just turn it into a mixed number.

997 / 4 as a mixed number is 249 with a remainder of 1 so the answer as a mixed number would be 249 1/4.

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