Question

I am having trouble with subtracting this fraction with a whole number. What is 3 2/5-4/5?

Answer 1

Fractions with whole numbers are called Mixed Fractions.

To add or subtract them, first convert the mixed fraction to an improper fraction, perform the operation and then convert the result back to a mixed fraction if it's an improper fraction.

The given expression is:

`3(2)/(5)-(4)/(5)`

Convert the mixed fraction on the left to an improper fraction:

`\begin{gathered} ((3*5)+2)/(5)-(4)/(5)=(15+2)/(5)-(4)/(5) \\ =(17)/(5)-(4)/(5) \end{gathered}`

Since the denominators are the same, add subtract the numerators:

`\Rightarrow(17)/(5)-(4)/(5)=(17-4)/(5)=(13)/(5)`

Convert back to a mixed fraction:

`(13)/(5)=2(3)/(5)`

The correct answer is 2 3/5.