Question

i am in seventh grade...can someone show me how to solve 2 2/3 + -1 1/2=
thank u

Answer 1

You want to first change them both into fractions:

\[2 \frac{2}{3} + (-1\frac{1}{2})\]\[\frac{8}{3} + (-\frac{3}{2})\]\[\frac{8}{3} - \frac{3}{2}\]
Now find a common denominator (a number for the bottom that can be divided by both the current denominators):

\[\frac{16}{6} - \frac{9}{6} = \frac{7}{6} = 1\frac{1}{6}\]

Answer 2

thank you soooo much for your help!

Answer 3

You're welcome!

Answer 4

There's a more direct method that doesn't involve continually converting back and forth between mixed and improper.

Answer 5

how do you do the direct method

Answer 6

\[
\space\space\space\space\space2\frac{2}{3}
\\-1\frac{1}{2}
\\\text{_______}
\]
is equivalent to:
\[
\space\space\space\space\space2\frac{4}{6}
\\-1\frac{3}{6}
\\\text{_______}
\\\space\space\space\space\space{1\frac{1}{6}}
\]

Answer 7

^You thought this wasn't possible, but it is.

Answer 8

Real funny @nincompoop

Answer 9

No, I was referring to the form of it, not "changing to improper fractions".

Answer 10

She hasn't seen it yet because she never came back online.

Answer 11

@Hero is right, the direct method is easier in this particular case because there's no carrying involved. If the problem had been 2 1/2 - 1 2/3, however, it would have been more difficult. A good compromise is to convert the fractional part to a common denominator first, and if the one you're subtracting has a smaller numerator than the one your subtracting from they just do the math. If not, take my approach.