Solution down below:
Since it wants the difference between the shortest and longest pencil, we have to subtract both fractions to get our answer in inches.
Your answer would be 4 5/12
But how did we get that?
First, you rewrite the difference as such
(8-4)+(2/3-1/4)
Then, you subtract the numbers
(8-4)=4
4+(2/3-1/4)
Then subtract the fractions
(2/3-1/4)= 5/12
After that, you write it as a mixed number
4 5/12
That’s your final answer!