Question

What do we get when we subtract $1\frac{1}{3}$ from $7\frac{1}{2}?$

Answer 1

First we need to convert the given mixed fractions into improper fractions.

$7\frac{1}{2}=\frac{(7\times 2)+1}{2}=\frac{15}{2}$

and $1\frac{1}{3}=\frac{(1\times 3)+1}{3}=\frac{4}{3}$

Now, $7\frac{1}{2}-1\frac{1}{3}$ $=\frac{15}{2}-\frac{4}{3}$

(Now, we need to convert the unlike fractions into like fractions)

$=\frac{15\times 3}{2\times 3}-\frac{4\times 2}{3\times 2}=\frac{45}{6}-\frac{8}{6}=\frac{(45-8)}{6}=\frac{37}{6}=\frac{(6\times 6)+1}{6}=6\frac{1}{6}$