The Purplemath Forums

by **rddlkmbrly** on Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:39 pm

Subtracting Compound Fractions:

2 divided by 3(7/5) - 2/5 divided by 2(7/5) = 10/21

Need explanation of steps to take to get the final answer.

**Sponsor**

by **DAiv** on Fri Feb 20, 2009 1:22 am

$\frac2{3\left(\frac75\right)} \,-\, \frac{\frac25}{2\left(\frac75\right)}$
$=\frac2{3\left(\frac75\right)}\,.\,\frac55 \,-\, \frac{\frac25}{2\left(\frac75\right)}\,.\,\frac55$
$=\frac2{3\left(\frac7{\cancel5}\right)}\,.\,\frac5{\cancel5} \,-\, \frac{\frac2{\cancel5}}{2\left(\frac7{\cancel5}\right)}\,.\,\frac{\cancel5}{\cancel5}$
$=\frac{10}{3(7)} \,-\, \frac2{2(7)}$
$=\frac{10}{21} \,-\, \frac{1\,\cancel2}{\cancel2(7)}$
$=\frac{10}{21} \,-\, \frac17 \,.\, \frac33$

And you're almost there...

DAiv

The Purplemath Forums

solve 2 divided by 3(7/5) - 2/5 divided by 2(7/5) = 10/21

solve 2 divided by 3(7/5) - 2/5 divided by 2(7/5) = 10/21

Re: solve 2 divided by 3(7/5) - 2/5 divided by 2(7/5) = 10/21