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Exercises Numbers, fractions and percents

Example 4.89 from Prealgebra, 4.6 Add and Subtract Mixed Numbers

Add and Subtract Mixed Numbers: example 4.89

Use a model to subtract: $1 \frac{1}{4} - \frac{3}{4}$

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

1

Solution

Rewrite vertically. Start with one whole and one fourth.
Since the fractions have denominator 4, cut the whole into 4 pieces. You now have $\frac{4}{4}$ and $\frac{1}{4}$ which is $\frac{5}{4}$ .
Take away $\frac{3}{4}$ . There is $\frac{1}{2}$ left.

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

Use a model to subtract. Draw a picture to illustrate your model.

$1 \frac{1}{3} - \frac{2}{3}$

How did it go?

PreviousAdd and Subtract Mixed Numbers: example 4.88 Next Add and Subtract Mixed Numbers: example 4.90

From Prealgebra (1st edition) by OpenStax (Rice University), section 4.6, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Original at openstax.org. We split the solution into steps; the words, numbers and figures are the book's. OpenStax doesn't endorse this site.