SOLUTION: Trisha needs 41/2 yards of fabric to do a project. If she already has 2/3 of a yard of fabric, what is the minimum amount of fabric she must buy to be able to complete her project

Algebra ->  Finance -> SOLUTION: Trisha needs 41/2 yards of fabric to do a project. If she already has 2/3 of a yard of fabric, what is the minimum amount of fabric she must buy to be able to complete her project      Log On


   

Question 827227: Trisha needs 41/2 yards of fabric to do a project. If she already has 2/3 of a yard of fabric, what is the minimum amount of fabric she must buy to be able to complete her project?

Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, LinnW:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A guess that you did not mean "41/2", but 4%2B1%2F2, or 4%261%2F2, is what she needs according to her project. She already has 2%2F3 of the fabric.

Letting b = how much to buy,
b%2B%282%2F3%29=4%261%2F2
b=4%261%2F2-2%2F3
b=9%2F2-2%2F3, LCD is 6
b=%289%2F2%29%283%2F3%29-%282%2F3%29%282%2F2%29
b=18%2F6-4%2F6
b=14%2F6
Reduce the number,
b=7%2F3
Change to mixed number
highlight%28b=2%261%2F3%29

Answer by LinnW(1048) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
She will need at least ( 4 1/2 - 2/3)
Since 2/3 is greater than 1/2
rewrite 4 1/2 as 3 3/2.
We can do this because 4 1/2 = 3 + 1 + 1/2 = 3 + 1 1/2 = 3 + 3/2 = 3 3/2
( 4 1/2 - 2/3 ) is the same as
( 3 3/2 - 2/3 )
using a common denominator of 6
( 3 9/6 - 4/6 )
( 3 5/6 )
She needs at least 3 5/6 . She might need more if she cannot cut the necessary
parts from the two pieces ( 3 5/6 and 2/3 ).