Chapter 4: Problem 39
Subtract. $$ \begin{array}{r} 4 \frac{7}{10} \\ -2 \frac{1}{10} \\ \hline \end{array} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The result of the subtraction is \(2 \frac{3}{5}\).
Step by step solution
01
Convert to improper fractions
First, turn the mixed numbers into improper fractions. For the first number, \(4 \frac{7}{10}\), multiply the whole number \(4\) by the denominator \(10\) and add the numerator \(7\). This gives \(4 \times 10 + 7 = 47\). So, \(4 \frac{7}{10}\) becomes \(\frac{47}{10}\).For the second number, \(2 \frac{1}{10}\), multiply the whole number \(2\) by the denominator \(10\) and add the numerator \(1\). This gives \(2 \times 10 + 1 = 21\). So, \(2 \frac{1}{10}\) becomes \(\frac{21}{10}\).
02
Subtract the improper fractions
Now, subtract the improper fractions found in Step 1. Subtract \(\frac{21}{10}\) from \(\frac{47}{10}\):\[\frac{47}{10} - \frac{21}{10} = \frac{47 - 21}{10} = \frac{26}{10}\]
03
Simplify the result
The fraction \(\frac{26}{10}\) can be simplified. Find the greatest common divisor of \(26\) and \(10\), which is \(2\). Divide both the numerator and the denominator by \(2\):\[\frac{26}{10} = \frac{26 \div 2}{10 \div 2} = \frac{13}{5}\]
04
Convert back to a mixed number
Convert the improper fraction \(\frac{13}{5}\) back into a mixed number. Divide \(13\) by \(5\), which goes \(2\) times with a remainder of \(3\). So, \(\frac{13}{5}\) is the same as \(2 \frac{3}{5}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Improper Fractions
Improper fractions can be a bit tricky if you're new to them, but they are quite straightforward once you get the hang of it. An improper fraction is simply a fraction where the numerator (the top number) is larger than or equal to the denominator (the bottom number). This means the fraction represents a number greater than 1.
- Example: In the fraction \( \frac{9}{4} \), the numerator 9 is larger than the denominator 4, hence it's an improper fraction.
- The whole point of converting mixed numbers to improper fractions is to make operations like addition and subtraction straightforward, especially when the denominators are the same.
- Multiply the whole number 4 by the denominator 10, giving 40.
- Add it to the numerator 7, leading to 47.
- Thus, \(4 \frac{7}{10}\) converts to \(\frac{47}{10}\).
Mixed Numbers
Mixed numbers consist of a whole number and a fraction. They are very common in everyday mathematics because they are intuitive and easy to visualize. For instance, when you see \(2 \frac{3}{4}\), it's easy to imagine two whole pizzas and \(\frac{3}{4}\) of another pizza.
- Mixed numbers provide a simple way to express the sum of whole numbers and fractions.
- They are particularly useful when dealing with measurements, like feet and inches, or hours and minutes.
- The quotient is 2, which becomes the whole number of the mixed number.
- The remainder is 3, which remains the numerator of the fraction.
- Thus, \(\frac{13}{5}\) converts to \(2 \frac{3}{5}\).
- To convert an improper fraction back into a mixed number, you perform division to determine how many whole parts there are. Let's take the improper fraction \(\frac{13}{5}\). You divide 13 by 5:
Fraction Simplification
Simplifying fractions is a crucial skill in algebra and arithmetic, making it easier to manage and understand fractions. To simplify a fraction means to transform it into its simplest form. This is achieved by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD).
- The GCD of two numbers is the largest number that divides both of them without leaving a remainder.
- For instance, to simplify \(\frac{26}{10}\), we find the GCD of 26 and 10, which is 2.
- Dividing both by 2 gives us the simplified fraction \(\frac{13}{5}\).