Question

Subtract, answer as a fraction in simplest form.
5/7 - 1/2
[__]/[__]

Answer 1

To subtract the fractions \( \frac{5}{7} - \frac{1}{2} \), we first need a common denominator.

The denominators are 7 and 2. The least common multiple of 7 and 2 is 14.

Now we convert each fraction to have a denominator of 14:

1. For \( \frac{5}{7} \):
\[
\frac{5}{7} = \frac{5 \times 2}{7 \times 2} = \frac{10}{14}
\]

2. For \( \frac{1}{2} \):
\[
\frac{1}{2} = \frac{1 \times 7}{2 \times 7} = \frac{7}{14}
\]

Now we can subtract the fractions:
\[
\frac{10}{14} - \frac{7}{14} = \frac{10 - 7}{14} = \frac{3}{14}
\]

The answer as a fraction in simplest form is:
\[
\frac{3}{14}
\]

Thus, filling in the blanks:
\[
[3]/[14]
\]