What is −6 7/12 − 4 1/3 ?

1 answer

To subtract the mixed numbers \(-6 \frac{7}{12}\) and \(-4 \frac{1}{3}\), we first convert them to improper fractions.

  1. Convert \(-6 \frac{7}{12}\):

\[ -6 \frac{7}{12} = -\left(6 \times 12 + 7\right)/12 = -\left(72 + 7\right)/12 = -\frac{79}{12} \]

  1. Convert \(-4 \frac{1}{3}\):

\[ -4 \frac{1}{3} = -\left(4 \times 3 + 1\right)/3 = -\left(12 + 1\right)/3 = -\frac{13}{3} \]

Now we need a common denominator to subtract these fractions. The least common multiple of 12 and 3 is 12. Convert \(-\frac{13}{3}\) to a fraction with a denominator of 12:

\[ -\frac{13}{3} = -\frac{13 \times 4}{3 \times 4} = -\frac{52}{12} \]

Now we can subtract the two fractions:

\[ -\frac{79}{12} - \left(-\frac{52}{12}\right) = -\frac{79}{12} + \frac{52}{12} = \frac{52 - 79}{12} = -\frac{27}{12} \]

We can simplify \(-\frac{27}{12}\):

\[ -\frac{27}{12} = -\frac{9}{4} \quad (\text{by dividing the numerator and denominator by 3}) \]

Now, convert \(-\frac{9}{4}\) back to a mixed number:

\[ -\frac{9}{4} = -2 \frac{1}{4} \]

Thus, the final answer is:

\[ -2 \frac{1}{4} \]