Subtracting Mixed Numbers: 5 1/3 - 1 7/8
In this article, we will learn how to subtract mixed numbers, specifically focusing on the problem 5 1/3 - 1 7/8.
Understanding Mixed Numbers
Before we dive into the subtraction problem, 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 or equal to the denominator.
Let's convert our mixed numbers to improper fractions:
5 1/3
- Whole number: 5
- Fraction: 1/3
- Convert to improper fraction: (5 × 3) + 1 = 16/3
1 7/8
- Whole number: 1
- Fraction: 7/8
- Convert to improper fraction: (1 × 8) + 7 = 15/8
Subtracting Improper Fractions
Now that we have our improper fractions, we can subtract them:
16/3 - 15/8
To subtract fractions with different denominators, we need to find the least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators. In this case, the LCM of 3 and 8 is 24.
- Convert 16/3 to have a denominator of 24: (16 × 8) / (3 × 8) = 128/24
- Convert 15/8 to have a denominator of 24: (15 × 3) / (8 × 3) = 45/24
Now we can subtract:
128/24 - 45/24 = 83/24
Converting Back to Mixed Numbers
To convert our answer back to a mixed number, we need to divide the numerator by the denominator:
83 ÷ 24 = 3 with a remainder of 11
So, our final answer is:
3 11/24
And that's it! We have successfully subtracted 5 1/3 - 1 7/8 to get 3 11/24.
