Subtract 5 1/4 - 3 3/8. Show your steps!

Question

anonymous · Answer

@calculusxy

calculusxy · Answer

Make sure that the fractions share a common denominator. Which in this case will be 8 (since eight can go to both the denominators -- 4 and 8). You then want to convert the fraction with 1/4 to the denominator with 8. Since we have to multiply two with 4 (2 x 4), we do the same to the numerator to 1 (1 x 2). That will get it to an equivalent fraction of 2/8. Subtraction will be easier now. 

We will now have 5 2/8 - 3 3/8. When you see this, you see that the two is less than 3. To solve this, you now have to carry from the whole (5). Once you carry, the five becomes four and you add the eight to the two (which then will become 4 10/8).

You have:
4 10/8 - 3 3/8 =

calculusxy · Answer

Now can you subtract?

anonymous · Answer

I know how to subtract I just didn't know how to word it :)