Question

I need to know how to work fractions word problems like Leon's older brother is 4 3/4 feet tall. Leon is 1/3 foot shorter than his brother. How tall is Leon?

Answer 1

4 5/12 feet tall

Explanation:

Find the LCM first. The LCM is the lowest common multiple between the two denominators. The LCM in this problem is 12, so you multiply each fraction until the denominators equal 12

4 3/4 -> 4 9/12

1/3 -> 4/12

Now it's much easier to solve. 4 9/12 - 4/12 = 4 5/12 feet tall