Question

simplify the complex fraction:
1-(1/4) over 2-(3/5)
I don't understand what i'm doing wrong on this one.

Answer 1

1 - 1/4 = 4/4 - 1/4 = (4-1)/4 = 3/4

So 1 - 1/4 = 3/4


Do the same with 2 - 3/5 and tell me what you get

Answer 2

but the example in the book is showing me something completely different and the answer says the whole thing is 15/28 an i don't understand how they got the answer. when i tried it like the book shows me i get a different answer

Answer 3

Let me show you how they got that answer

Answer 4

okay

Answer 5

You agree that 1 - 1/4 = 3/4 right?

Answer 6

yeh

Answer 7

Let's now simplify 2 - 3/5

Answer 8

2 - 3/5


10/5 - 3/5


(10-3)/5


7/5


So 2 - 3/5 = 7/5

Answer 9

With me so far?

Answer 10

yep

Answer 11

So


1-(1/4) over 2-(3/5)


turns into


(3/4) over (7/5)

Answer 12

Now we just need to simplify (3/4) over (7/5)

Answer 13

alright

Answer 14

(3/4) over (7/5)


(3/4)*(5/7)


(3*5)/(4*7)


15/28


So (3/4) over (7/5) = 15/28


Which means that 1-(1/4) over 2-(3/5) fully simplifies to 15/28

Answer 15

okay so hold on. you keep change flip and then cross multiply?

Answer 16

yes, to divide two fractions, you flip the second one and you multiply

Answer 17

you multiply numerators together and denominators together

Answer 18

oh okay you multiply the numerators and then the denominators. right?

Answer 19

exactly

Answer 20

Okay, I think I've got it now! Thank you!

Answer 21

you're welcome

Answer 22

so wait how would you do (1/3)/(3/b)?

Answer 23

To divide two fractions, flip the second fraction "3/b" to get "b/3" then multiply

So

(1/3)/(3/b)

becomes

(1/3)*(b/3)

Answer 24

then multiply numerators: 1 and b ---> 1*b = b

and the denominators: 3 and 3 ---> 3*3 = 9

So (1/3)*(b/3) = b/9

which means (1/3)/(3/b) = b/9

Answer 25

oh. Thanks.

Answer 26

sure thing