Question

Subtract. Simplify, if possible.
11 1/8 - 2 1/2 = [__] [__]/[__]

Answer 1

To subtract the mixed numbers \( 11 \frac{1}{8} \) and \( 2 \frac{1}{2} \), we first convert them to improper fractions.

1. Convert \( 11 \frac{1}{8} \) to an improper fraction:
\[
11 \frac{1}{8} = \frac{(11 \times 8) + 1}{8} = \frac{88 + 1}{8} = \frac{89}{8}
\]

2. Convert \( 2 \frac{1}{2} \) to an improper fraction:
\[
2 \frac{1}{2} = \frac{(2 \times 2) + 1}{2} = \frac{4 + 1}{2} = \frac{5}{2}
\]

3. To subtract these fractions, we need a common denominator. The least common multiple of 8 and 2 is 8.

4. Convert \( \frac{5}{2} \) to a fraction with a denominator of 8:
\[
\frac{5}{2} = \frac{5 \times 4}{2 \times 4} = \frac{20}{8}
\]

5. Now we can perform the subtraction:
\[
\frac{89}{8} - \frac{20}{8} = \frac{89 - 20}{8} = \frac{69}{8}
\]

6. Next, we can simplify \( \frac{69}{8} \) back to a mixed number:
- Divide 69 by 8:
- \( 69 \div 8 = 8 \) with a remainder of \( 5 \).
- Thus, we have:
\[
\frac{69}{8} = 8 \frac{5}{8}
\]

So the final answer is:

\[
8 \quad 5 \quad 8
\]

Or in the requested format:
\[
8 \quad 5/8
\]