Subtracting fractions

Question

Three and one third minus two and one half equals what?

Answer 1

Hi Nikki;

3 1/3 - 2 1/2

Let's convert 3 1/3 into 10/3.  We multiplied 3 and 3 and added 1 to reach the numerator value of 10.  The denominator remained unchanged.

Let's convert 2 1/2 into 5/2.  We multiplied 2 and 2 and added 1 to reach the numerator value of 5.  The denominator remained unchanged.

(10/3)-(5/2)

We want the denominators to be the same.  (3)(2)=6

(10/3)(2/2)=20/6

(5/2)(3/3)=15/6

(20/6)-(15/6)

5/6