-12 2/3 - -8 5/6

1 answer

To simplify the expression -12 2/3 - (-8 5/6), you need to change the mixed numbers to improper fractions and then perform the subtraction.

Converting -12 2/3 to an improper fraction:
-12 is the whole number and 2/3 is the fractional part.
To convert the whole number to a fraction, multiply the denominator (3) by the whole number (-12) and add the numerator (2):
-12 * 3 = -36
-36 + 2 = -34
So, -12 2/3 can be written as -34/3.

Converting -8 5/6 to an improper fraction:
-8 is the whole number and 5/6 is the fractional part.
To convert the whole number to a fraction, multiply the denominator (6) by the whole number (-8) and add the numerator (5):
-8 * 6 = -48
-48 + 5 = -43
So, -8 5/6 can be written as -43/6.

Now, we can substitute these fractions into the expression:
-34/3 - (-43/6)

To subtract fractions, you need a common denominator. The common denominator for 3 and 6 is 6.

Converting -34/3 to an equivalent fraction with the denominator 6:
Multiply the numerator (-34) and the denominator (3) by 2:
-34 * 2 = -68
3 * 2 = 6
-68/6

So, the expression becomes:
-68/6 - (-43/6)

To subtract fractions with the same denominator, subtract the numerators and keep the denominator:
(-68 - (-43))/6

Simplifying the numerator:
-68 + 43 = -25

So, the expression simplifies to:
-25/6