Subtracting Mixed Numbers: 2 1/4 - 1 1/2
In this article, we will learn how to subtract mixed numbers. Specifically, we will explore the subtraction of 2 1/4 and 1 1/2.
Understanding Mixed Numbers
Before we dive into the subtraction, let's quickly review what mixed numbers are. A mixed number is a combination of a whole number and a fraction. For example, 2 1/4 is a mixed number, where 2 is the whole number and 1/4 is the fraction.
Converting to Improper Fractions
To subtract mixed numbers, we need to convert them to improper fractions. An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is greater than the denominator.
Converting 2 1/4 to an Improper Fraction
To convert 2 1/4 to an improper fraction, we multiply the whole number part (2) by the denominator (4) and then add the numerator (1). This gives us:
2 × 4 = 8 8 + 1 = 9
So, 2 1/4 is equivalent to the improper fraction 9/4.
Converting 1 1/2 to an Improper Fraction
To convert 1 1/2 to an improper fraction, we multiply the whole number part (1) by the denominator (2) and then add the numerator (1). This gives us:
1 × 2 = 2 2 + 1 = 3
So, 1 1/2 is equivalent to the improper fraction 3/2.
Subtracting the Improper Fractions
Now that we have converted both mixed numbers to improper fractions, we can subtract them.
Subtracting the Fractions
To subtract the fractions, we need to have the same denominator. In this case, we can convert both fractions to have a common denominator of 4.
9/4 - 3/2 = ? = 9/4 - 6/4 (converting 3/2 to have a denominator of 4) = 3/4
So, the result of subtracting 2 1/4 and 1 1/2 is 3/4.
Converting the Result Back to a Mixed Number
If we want to convert the result back to a mixed number, we can do so by dividing the numerator (3) by the denominator (4). This gives us:
3 ÷ 4 = 0 with a remainder of 3 = 0 3/4
So, the final result of subtracting 2 1/4 and 1 1/2 is 0 3/4.
Conclusion
In this article, we learned how to subtract mixed numbers by converting them to improper fractions, subtracting the fractions, and converting the result back to a mixed number. We successfully subtracted 2 1/4 and 1 1/2 to get the result of 0 3/4.
