Simplifying Fractions: 1 3/8 Minus 3/4
When working with fractions, it's essential to understand how to perform various operations, including subtraction. In this article, we'll explore how to calculate 1 3/8 minus 3/4 as a fraction.
Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions
To start, let's convert the mixed number 1 3/8 to an improper fraction:
1 3/8 = (1 × 8 + 3) / 8 = (8 + 3) / 8 = 11/8
Now, we have an improper fraction: 11/8.
Converting the Subtracting Fraction to an Improper Fraction
Next, let's convert the subtracting fraction 3/4 to an improper fraction:
3/4 = 3/4 (already an improper fraction)
Performing the Subtraction
Now that we have both fractions in their improper forms, we can perform the subtraction:
11/8 - 3/4 = ?
To subtract fractions, we need a common denominator. The least common multiple (LCM) of 8 and 4 is 8. So, we can rewrite the fractions with the LCM as the denominator:
11/8 = 11/8 (no change needed) 3/4 = 6/8 (multiply numerator and denominator by 2)
Now, we can subtract:
11/8 - 6/8 = 5/8
Result
The result of 1 3/8 minus 3/4 as a fraction is:
5/8
There you have it! By converting mixed numbers to improper fractions and finding a common denominator, we were able to perform the subtraction and arrive at the final answer.
