what is the answer for: 9 2/5 - 8 4/5?

Question

what is the answer for subtracting the following:  9 2/5 - 8 4/5?

Answer 1

Here is another way to do this problem:

 

Multiply the denominator (bottom fraction number) by the whole number, then add the numerator (top fraction number). This new number replaces the old numerator.

 

EX: 8 3/5 = 8 * 5 + 3 = 43. This is your new numerator. The new, improper fraction is 43/5.

 

As long as the denominators are the same (in your case they are), you may simply add (or subtract) the numerators, and keep the denominator the same. Then simply the fraction, if the numerator is greater than the denominator.

 

Please contact me if you have any questions. Thanks!

Answer 2

To do this we'll need to convert both 9 2/5 and 8 4/5 from mixed numbers like they are now to improper fractions.

 

Since the denominator of 9 2/5 is in 5ths, we will have to convert 9 into 5ths. 9*5=45, so 9 = 45/5. 

We still need to account for the additional 2/5: 45/5 + 2/5 = 47/5.

 

The denominator of 8 4/5 is also 5ths, so we will convert 8 into 5ths. 8*5 = 40, so 8 = 40/5. 

Again, we must account for the extra 4/5: 40/5 + 4/5 = 44/5.

 

So now we have changed the problem to 47/5 - 44/5. Since these two fractions have the same denominator, it is easy now to see that 47/5 - 44/5 = (47-44)/5 = 3/5.

 

I hope that helps!