Subtract 7 2/5 minus 3 3/7. What is the result in mixed number form?

Subtract 7 2/5 minus 3 3/7. What is the result in mixed number form?

• A. 3 5/7
• B. 4 1/35
• C. 3 9/10
• D. 3 34/35

Answer: (D)

Subtracting mixed numbers is easiest when you turn each mixed number into an improper fraction, then work with a common denominator and convert back to a mixed number. Turn 7 2/5 into 37/5 and 3 3/7 into 24/7. With a common denominator of 35, rewrite them as 259/35 and 120/35. Subtract to get 139/35. Convert that improper fraction to a mixed number: 35 goes into 139 three times with a remainder of 34, giving 3 34/35. Since 34/35 is already in lowest terms, the result is 3 34/35.

Subtracting mixed numbers is easiest when you turn each mixed number into an improper fraction, then work with a common denominator and convert back to a mixed number.

Turn 7 2/5 into 37/5 and 3 3/7 into 24/7. With a common denominator of 35, rewrite them as 259/35 and 120/35. Subtract to get 139/35. Convert that improper fraction to a mixed number: 35 goes into 139 three times with a remainder of 34, giving 3 34/35. Since 34/35 is already in lowest terms, the result is 3 34/35.