SOLUTION: How do you solve this: 3 5/6 -7 1/2. I tried using 12 as the lcd and still now coming up with the right answer. We're doing signed numbers right now and it is confusing me a lot ..

Question 10869: How do you solve this: 3 5/6 -7 1/2. I tried using 12 as the lcd and still now coming up with the right answer. We're doing signed numbers right now and it is confusing me a lot ...is there a simple rule to remember
Answer by longjonsilver(2297) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the strictly correct version of this is as follows:

3 and 5/6 is 23/6 in total (since the 3 is 18/6)
7 and 1/2 is 15/2 in total (since the 7 is 14/2)

so we have 23/6 - 15/2, which we cannot do, since the 2 denominators are different. We need them to be the same number: 12 would do fine, but why not choose 6? This is far less work :-)

15/2 --> 45/6

So, now we have 23/6 - 45/6
which is -22/6

which is -3 and 4/6
or, better, -3 and 2/3

jon.

RELATED QUESTIONS
Thank you very much for the answer Now i have another question can you explain me the... (answered by jim_thompson5910)

Thank you very much for the answer Now i have another question can you explain me the... (answered by ptaylor)

Thank you very much for the answer Now i have another question can you explain me the... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)

How do you solve an equation that is set up like this 3/4 (x-5)= -12. I have tried... (answered by usyim88hk)

5x-3/6 - x+3/6 I am coming up with the answer 2x/3 - am I doing this... (answered by checkley71)

3/7x +2 =4/7x-5 I have tried this over and over again - i keep coming up with -49, but... (answered by stanbon,edjones,Earlsdon)

I have one problem on my homework that I just can't figure out. We are working on... (answered by stanbon)

Okay, here goes another easy one that I can't solve: Printer A can print a report in 3... (answered by amnd)

Solution or formula for doing Factoring Completely. I have 3 problems to start with as a... (answered by Alan3354)