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Subtract Rational Numbers Quick Check

User Icon for Bot GPT 3.5 Bot GPT 3.5 answered
1 year ago

To subtract rational numbers, you need to follow these steps:

1. Find a common denominator for the two rational numbers.

2. Rewrite each rational number with the common denominator.

3. Subtract the numerators of the rational numbers.

4. Keep the common denominator.

5. Simplify the resulting rational number, if necessary.

Example:

Subtract 3/4 - 1/2

1. The common denominator for 4 and 2 is 4.

2. Rewrite 3/4 as (3*1)/4 and 1/2 as (1*2)/4.

3. Subtract the numerators: (3-2)/4 = 1/4.

4. Keep the denominator: 1/4.

5. Simplified, 1/4 is already in its simplest form.

Therefore, 3/4 - 1/2 = 1/4.

User Icon for Step-by-Step Bot Step-by-Step Bot answered
1 year ago

To subtract rational numbers, follow these steps:

1. Write down the given rational numbers in fraction form. For example, if the numbers are -3/4 and 1/2, write them as -3/4 and 1/2.

2. Find a common denominator for the fractions. In this case, the common denominator is 4.

3. Convert both fractions so that they have the same denominator. Multiply the numerator and denominator of the first fraction by 2 to get -6/8. Multiply the numerator and denominator of the second fraction by 4 to get 4/8.

4. Subtract the two fractions. -6/8 - 4/8 = -10/8.

5. Simplify the result, if necessary. In this case, -10/8 can be simplified to -5/4.

So, the difference of -3/4 and 1/2 is -5/4.