4 1/2 - 2 7/8
To subtract mixed numbers like 4 1/2 and 2 7/8, follow these steps:
Step 1: Convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions.
4 1/2 can be written as (4 × 2 + 1) / 2 = 9/2.
2 7/8 can be written as (2 × 8 + 7) / 8 = 23/8.
Step 2: Find a common denominator for the fractions.
The denominators are 2 and 8. The least common multiple (LCM) of 2 and 8 is 8. Therefore, we need to convert 9/2 to have a denominator of 8.
9/2 can be multiplied by 4/4 to get (9 × 4) / (2 × 4) = 36/8.
Step 3: Subtract the fractions.
Now we have 36/8 - 23/8 = (36 - 23) / 8 = 13/8.
Step 4: Simplify the result if possible.
1 and 5/8.
Therefore, 4 1/2 - 2 7/8 = 1 5/8.
change them to improper fractions, with the same denominator (8)
4 1/2 - 2 7/8.
Change the mixed numbers to improper
fractions by multiplying the whole number by the denominator of the fraction and add the numerator:
9/2 - 23/8,
Find the common denominator(=> 8).
In this case it is 8, because 2 will divide into 8 with no remainder:
36/8 - 23/8 = 13/8 = 1 5/8.