Question

Simplify the following expression and
leave your answer as a mixed number.
5 1/8 - 1 3/8=3.75

Choose

Answer 1

To simplify the expression \( 5 \frac{1}{8} - 1 \frac{3}{8} \), follow these steps:

1. Convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions:
- For \( 5 \frac{1}{8} \):
\[
5 \frac{1}{8} = \frac{5 \times 8 + 1}{8} = \frac{40 + 1}{8} = \frac{41}{8}
\]
- For \( 1 \frac{3}{8} \):
\[
1 \frac{3}{8} = \frac{1 \times 8 + 3}{8} = \frac{8 + 3}{8} = \frac{11}{8}
\]

2. Subtract the improper fractions:
\[
\frac{41}{8} - \frac{11}{8} = \frac{41 - 11}{8} = \frac{30}{8}
\]

3. Simplify \( \frac{30}{8} \):
\[
\frac{30}{8} = \frac{15}{4}
\]

4. Convert \( \frac{15}{4} \) to a mixed number:
- Divide 15 by 4, which goes 3 times (since \( 4 \times 3 = 12 \)), with a remainder of 3.
- Therefore, \( \frac{15}{4} = 3 \frac{3}{4} \).

So, the final answer is:
\[
3 \frac{3}{4}
\]