Simplifying the Fraction: 5/6 - 1/2
When working with fractions, it's essential to simplify them to make calculations easier and more efficient. In this article, we'll explore how to simplify the fraction 5/6 - 1/2.
Step 1: Convert the Mixed Number to an Improper Fraction
To start, we need to convert the mixed number 1/2 to an improper fraction. To do this, we'll multiply the numerator (1) by the denominator (2), which gives us:
1 × 2 = 2
So, the improper fraction equivalent to 1/2 is:
2/2
Step 2: Find a Common Denominator
Next, we need to find a common denominator between 5/6 and 2/2. The least common multiple (LCM) of 6 and 2 is 6. Therefore, we can convert 2/2 to an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 6:
4/6
Step 3: Subtract the Fractions
Now that we have equivalent fractions with a common denominator, we can subtract them:
5/6 - 4/6 = 1/6
And that's it! We've simplified the fraction 5/6 - 1/2 to its simplest form, which is:
1/6
In conclusion, simplifying fractions requires patience and attention to detail, but with the right steps, you can convert complex fractions into their simplest forms.
