Question

You have $\frac{2}{3}$ lb of cheese and you used $\frac{1}{4}$ lb to make a pizza. How much cheese do you have left?

• A. $\frac{8}{12}$
• B. $\frac{5}{12}$
• C. $\frac{3}{12}$
• D. $\frac{2}{12}$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $\frac{5}{12}$

Solution:
Amount of cheese you have $=\frac{2}{3}lb$
Amount of cheese you used to make pizza $=\frac{1}{4}lb$
Amount of cheese you have left $=\frac{2}{3}lb-\frac{1}{4}lb$
To subtract unlike fractions, first convert them into like fractions by finding the equivalent fractions with the same denominator.
$\frac{2}{3}=\frac{2\times 4}{3\times 4}=\frac{8}{12}$
$\frac{1}{4}=\frac{1\times 3}{4\times 3}=\frac{3}{12}$
$\frac{8}{12}-\frac{3}{12}=\frac{8-3}{12}=\frac{5}{12}$
Hence, Option C is correct.