Question

What number should be subtracted from $-\frac{2}{3}$ to get $-\frac{1}{6}$?

Answer 1

Determine the number which will be subtracted from $\frac{-2}{3}$ to get $\frac{-1}{6}$.

Let the number be $x$.

According to the question:

$-\frac{2}{3}-x=-\frac{1}{6}$

Solve the above equation is as follows:

$\begin{array}{rcl}-\frac{2}{3}-x& =& -\frac{1}{6}\\ & \Rightarrow & x=-\frac{2}{3}+\frac{1}{6}\\ & \Rightarrow & x=\frac{-4+1}{6}\\ & \Rightarrow & x=\frac{-3}{6}\\ \therefore x& =& \frac{-1}{2}\end{array}$

Hence, the required number is $\frac{-1}{2}$.