Question

Subtract 5 7/10 minus 3 14/15

Answer 1

first you must change the mixed fractions to improper fractions

5 7/10 - 3 14/15
= 57/10 - 59/15 now the common denominator is 30
= 171/30 - 118/30
= 53/30 or 1 23/30

Answer 2

They are both right, but the second answer (1 23/30) is the simplified form. So when giving an answer, give it in simplified form. You could lose marks if you don't.

Answer 3

It still upsets me after teaching math for over 35 years that people insist that numbers expressed in mixed fraction form are somewhat more ?simplified? than written in improper form.

They are simply alternate forms of writing the same number,

eg. 2.5 , 5/2 or 2 1/2 are all the same, one expression is not more ?simplified? than the other

As a matter of fact, a number such as 1 23/30 is useless in a calculation, the first thing you would do would be to change it to its improper fraction form to continue with the operation.

For a teacher to deduct marks is just plain wrong!!