maria has to spend 5 1/2 hours to finish her community service program in a community health clinic. Last week she was able to spend 3 3/4 hours. Which equation can be used to determine the number of hours, h, that maria still needs to spend to complete her service program?
responses
h + 5 1/2 = 3 3/4
h + 3 3/4 = 5 1/2
h - 3 3/4 = 5 1/2
h - 5 1/2 = 3 3/4
pick the correct answer
The correct equation that can be used to determine the number of hours, h, that Maria still needs to spend to complete her service program is:
h = 5 1/2 - 3 3/4
To determine the number of hours, h, that Maria still needs to spend to complete her service program, we can subtract the hours she has already spent from the total amount of time she needs to spend.
Maria needs to spend 5 1/2 hours to complete her community service program, and she has already spent 3 3/4 hours. Therefore, the equation that can be used to determine the number of hours, h, that Maria still needs to spend is:
h = 5 1/2 - 3 3/4
To solve this equation, we need to convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions:
5 1/2 = 11/2
3 3/4 = 15/4
Now the equation becomes:
h = 11/2 - 15/4
To subtract fractions, we need a common denominator, which in this case is 4. Converting 11/2 to have a denominator of 4:
11/2 = 22/4
Now the equation becomes:
h = 22/4 - 15/4
Subtracting the numerators:
h = (22 - 15)/4
Simplifying the numerator:
h = 7/4
Therefore, the correct equation to determine the number of hours, h, that Maria still needs to spend to complete her service program is:
h = 7/4
The correct answer is:
h = 5 1/2 - 3 3/4