Simplifying the Difference of Two Fractions: 2 1/4 - 3/6 as a Fraction
When working with fractions, it's essential to have a solid understanding of how to perform arithmetic operations, including subtraction. In this article, we'll explore the process of simplifying the difference of two fractions, specifically 2 1/4 - 3/6 as a fraction.
Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions
Before we dive into the subtraction process, let's convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions.
2 1/4
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):
2 × 4 = 8 8 + 1 = 9
So, 2 1/4 is equal to 9/4.
3/6
The fraction 3/6 can be simplified by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD), which is 3:
3 ÷ 3 = 1 6 ÷ 3 = 2
So, 3/6 is equal to 1/2.
Subtracting the Fractions
Now that we have converted both mixed numbers to improper fractions, we can subtract them:
9/4 - 1/2
To subtract these fractions, we need to find a common denominator, which is the least common multiple (LCM) of 4 and 2. The LCM of 4 and 2 is 4. So, we can convert the second fraction to have a denominator of 4:
1/2 = 2/4
Now, we can subtract the fractions:
9/4 - 2/4
Subtract the numerators and keep the denominator the same:
9 - 2 = 7
So, the result of the subtraction is:
7/4
Simplifying the Result
The fraction 7/4 is already in its simplest form. Therefore, the final answer is:
7/4
In conclusion, 2 1/4 - 3/6 as a fraction is equal to 7/4.
