Chapter 4: Problem 47
Simplify the following. $$\left(\frac{3}{4}-1\right)\left(\frac{1}{8}+\frac{1}{2}\right)$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The simplified expression is \(-\frac{5}{32}\).
Step by step solution
01
Simplify the First Bracket
First, we take the expression inside the first bracket: \( \frac{3}{4} - 1 \). To subtract 1 from \( \frac{3}{4} \), convert 1 to a fraction with a denominator of 4: \( 1 = \frac{4}{4} \). Now subtract: \( \frac{3}{4} - \frac{4}{4} = \frac{3 - 4}{4} = -\frac{1}{4} \). Thus, the first bracket simplifies to \( -\frac{1}{4} \).
02
Simplify the Second Bracket
Next, simplify the expression in the second bracket: \( \frac{1}{8} + \frac{1}{2} \). To add these fractions, they need to have the same denominator. Convert \( \frac{1}{2} \) to have a denominator of 8: \( \frac{1}{2} = \frac{4}{8} \). Now add: \( \frac{1}{8} + \frac{4}{8} = \frac{1 + 4}{8} = \frac{5}{8} \). So, the second bracket simplifies to \( \frac{5}{8} \).
03
Multiply the Simplified Brackets
Now multiply the results from the two simplified brackets obtained in Steps 1 and 2. Thus, multiply \( -\frac{1}{4} \) by \( \frac{5}{8} \): Multiply the numerators: \( -1 \times 5 = -5 \).Multiply the denominators: \( 4 \times 8 = 32 \).Combine to get the product: \( -\frac{5}{32} \). The expression simplifies to \( -\frac{5}{32} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Subtracting Fractions
Subtracting fractions might seem tricky, but with a systematic approach, it can be done easily. To subtract one fraction from another, you need a common denominator. This means both fractions must be rewritten so that the part below the fraction line is the same for both.
For example, consider the problem \( \frac{3}{4} - 1 \). Here, the number 1 can be converted into a fraction \( \frac{4}{4} \) so that it has the same denominator as \( \frac{3}{4} \).
Then, subtraction becomes straightforward:
For example, consider the problem \( \frac{3}{4} - 1 \). Here, the number 1 can be converted into a fraction \( \frac{4}{4} \) so that it has the same denominator as \( \frac{3}{4} \).
Then, subtraction becomes straightforward:
- Write both fractions with a common denominator: \( \frac{3}{4} \) and \( \frac{4}{4} \).
- Ignore the denominators for a moment and subtract the numerators: \( 3 - 4 \).
- Write the result over the common denominator: \( \frac{-1}{4} \).
Adding Fractions
Adding fractions is very similar to subtracting them, just with a plus sign instead of a minus. The key is ensuring that both fractions have the same denominator, which allows you to add the numerators directly. This is called finding a 'common denominator.'
For instance, to add \( \frac{1}{8} + \frac{1}{2} \), you should first convert \( \frac{1}{2} \) to a fraction with a denominator of 8. Why? Because both fractions need that shared base.
For instance, to add \( \frac{1}{8} + \frac{1}{2} \), you should first convert \( \frac{1}{2} \) to a fraction with a denominator of 8. Why? Because both fractions need that shared base.
- First, change \( \frac{1}{2} \) to \( \frac{4}{8} \) to match the denominator of 8.
- Now, simply add the numerators: \( 1 + 4 \).
- Place the result over the denominator of 8: \( \frac{5}{8} \).
Multiplying Fractions
Multiplying fractions is often considered the simplest of operations among fractions because it doesn't require a common denominator. You only need to focus on the numerators and denominators separately.
Take the result from the previous operations, \( -\frac{1}{4} \) and \( \frac{5}{8} \) as an example:
Take the result from the previous operations, \( -\frac{1}{4} \) and \( \frac{5}{8} \) as an example:
- Multiply the top numbers: \( -1 \times 5 = -5 \).
- Multiply the bottom numbers: \( 4 \times 8 = 32 \).
- Write the result as a fraction: \( -\frac{5}{32} \).