SOLUTION: 8 3/4 - 3 1/4 please explain 7 5/12 -2 3/4 please explain

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Question 666169: 8 3/4 - 3 1/4 please explain

7 5/12 -2 3/4 please explain

Found 2 solutions by ReadingBoosters, ewatrrr:
Answer by ReadingBoosters(3246) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
(1).
Since these already have common denominators, subtract numerators then whole numbers.
8+%283%2F4%29
-3+%281%2F4%29
______________
highlight_green%285+%282%2F4%29%29
...
(2).
Since these do not have a common denominator, find the greatest common multiple, which is 12. So,
7%285%2F12%29
-2%283%2F4%29%283%2F3%29= 2%289%2F12%29
...
Subtract numerators first, but since you have to borrow, take from the whole number. 7 is the same as 6%2812%2F12%29
so add 12%2F12 to 5%2F12 to get 17%2F12
6%2817%2F12%29
-2%289%2F12%29
________________
Now subtract the numerators, then the whole numbers
4%288%2F12%29 which simplifies to highlight_green%284%282%2F3%29%29 since 4 goes into 8 and 12.
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Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
 
Hi,
With fraction subtractions, it is the same as with whole number subtraction...
sometimes You have to 'borrow' ...
8%263%2F4+-+3%261%2F4+=+5%262%2F4+=+5%261%2F2 No need to borrow on this one

Borrowing '1' from the 7 is the same as Borrowing 12%2F12 and 5%2F12+%2B+12%2F+12+=+17%2F12