Subtract 5 1/4 minus 2 3/8. What is the result in mixed number form?

Subtract 5 1/4 minus 2 3/8. What is the result in mixed number form?

• A. 3 1/8
• B. 2 3/8
• C. 3 1/4
• D. 2 7/8

Answer: (D)

Subtracting mixed numbers with different denominators becomes straightforward when you convert the fractional parts to a common denominator and borrow from the whole part if needed. Here, the fractions are 1/4 and 3/8, so use a common denominator of 8. Convert: 1/4 becomes 2/8, so the first number is 5 2/8, and the second is 2 3/8. Subtract the whole parts: 5 minus 2 equals 3, but the fractional part 2/8 is smaller than 3/8, so you borrow 1 from the whole part of the first number. That leaves 4 in the whole part, and you add 8/8 to the fractional part: 2/8 + 8/8 = 10/8. Now subtract the fractions: 10/8 minus 3/8 equals 7/8. Put it together: 4 minus 2 is 2, giving the result 2 7/8.

Subtracting mixed numbers with different denominators becomes straightforward when you convert the fractional parts to a common denominator and borrow from the whole part if needed. Here, the fractions are 1/4 and 3/8, so use a common denominator of 8. Convert: 1/4 becomes 2/8, so the first number is 5 2/8, and the second is 2 3/8.

Subtract the whole parts: 5 minus 2 equals 3, but the fractional part 2/8 is smaller than 3/8, so you borrow 1 from the whole part of the first number. That leaves 4 in the whole part, and you add 8/8 to the fractional part: 2/8 + 8/8 = 10/8. Now subtract the fractions: 10/8 minus 3/8 equals 7/8. Put it together: 4 minus 2 is 2, giving the result 2 7/8.