7 1/8 - 1/4: Understanding Fraction Subtraction
In mathematics, subtracting fractions can be a bit tricky, but with the right approach, it can be made easier. In this article, we will explore how to subtract 1/4 from 7 1/8, a mixed number.
What is a Mixed Number?
A mixed number is a combination of a whole number and a proper fraction. In the case of 7 1/8, the whole number part is 7, and the fraction part is 1/8.
Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions
To subtract fractions, it's essential to convert the mixed number to an improper fraction. An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is greater than the denominator.
To convert 7 1/8 to an improper fraction, we multiply the whole number part (7) by the denominator (8) and add the numerator (1):
7 × 8 = 56 56 + 1 = 57
So, the improper fraction equivalent of 7 1/8 is 57/8.
Subtracting 1/4 from 57/8
Now that we have an improper fraction, we can subtract 1/4 from it. To do this, we need to find a common denominator between the two fractions. The least common multiple (LCM) of 8 and 4 is 8.
So, we can rewrite 1/4 as 2/8:
57/8 - 2/8 = 55/8
Simplifying the Result
The result of the subtraction is an improper fraction, 55/8. To simplify it, we can divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD), which is 1.
55 ÷ 1 = 55 8 ÷ 1 = 8
So, the final answer is 55/8.
Converting Back to a Mixed Number
If we want to convert the improper fraction back to a mixed number, we can divide the numerator by the denominator:
55 ÷ 8 = 6 with a remainder of 7
So, the mixed number equivalent of 55/8 is 6 7/8.
Conclusion
Subtracting 1/4 from 7 1/8 involves converting the mixed number to an improper fraction, finding a common denominator, subtracting the fractions, and simplifying the result. By following these steps, we can arrive at the answer, 6 7/8.
