William W. answered • 01/22/21
Tutor
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Math and science made easy - learn from a retired engineer
Method 1
Turn 4 1/2 into an improper fraction 2 times 4 + 1 = 9 so 9/2. Now get a common denominator by multiplying top and bottom by 2 to get 18/4.
18/4 - 3/4 = 15/4
Is you'd like to turn it back into a mixed number divide 4 into 15 to get 3 remainder 3 and put the remainder 3 over the denominator 4 to get 3 3/4.
Method 2
Borrow 1 or 4/4 from the 4 to get 3 4/4 then add the 4/4 to the 1/2 by getting a common denominator. 1/2 = 2/4 (multiply top and bottom of 1/2 by 2). Add the 4/4 to 2/4 to get 6/4 so now you have 3 6/4. Now subtract 3/4 from the 6/4 to get 3 3/4.
