The tutor continues about subtracting mixed numerals.

Past grade 10, mixed numerals are not much found in academic math. They are common, however, in trades math, including entrance exams.

In yesterday’s post I talked about subtracting mixed numerals by borrowing, if needed. Today, I’ll show the improper fraction method.

Example: Evaluate the following:

9 3/8 – 2 6/7

Solution:

First, we put each mixed numeral to improper fraction form (see how to do so in my post here).

75/8-20/7

Next, we get common denominators

(75×7)/(8×7) – (20×8)/(7×8)

becomes

525/56-160/56

Now, we can simply subtract on the top, then rewrite the denominator:

(525-160)/56 = 365/56

The answer is an improper fraction. Converting it to a mixed numeral, we get

365/56=6 29/56

The method for converting from improper fraction to mixed numeral is contained in my post here. However, perhaps I’ll give a more detailed example of it in tomorrow’s post.

HTH:)

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.