When subtracting a proper fraction like 1/3 from 12....... Making the question look like 12-1/3........do you flip the fraction around and then divide? Making it a 3? Then the answer is 9?

Question

amistre64 · Answer

why, pray tell, would you divde in order to subtract?

amistre64 · Answer

if you have 12 dollars and some takes less than a dollar away from you; would you be left with 9 dollars?

anonymous · Answer

Well the question is p=1/3 (12-p)

anonymous · Answer

Apparently the answer is 9
And I want to know why

amistre64 · Answer

multiply both sides by 3

3p = 3/3 (12-p)

3p = 12-p  ; add off the p
+p        +p
----------
4p = 12    ; divide off the 4

p = 12/4 = 3 ... not 9

anonymous · Answer

Ty