$\frac{3}{5} - \frac{1}{8}$
Answer (2)
Find a common denominator for the fractions: The least common multiple of 5 and 8 is 40.
Rewrite the fractions with the common denominator: 5 3 = 40 24 and 8 1 = 40 5 .
Subtract the fractions: 40 24 − 40 5 = 40 19 .
The final answer is 40 19 .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are asked to evaluate the expression 3/5 − 1/8 . This involves subtracting one fraction from another. To do this, we need to find a common denominator.
Finding a Common Denominator The least common multiple of 5 and 8 is 40. We rewrite the fractions with this common denominator: 5 3 = 5 × 8 3 × 8 = 40 24 8 1 = 8 × 5 1 × 5 = 40 5
Subtracting the Fractions Now we can subtract the fractions: 40 24 − 40 5 = 40 24 − 5 = 40 19
Final Answer The result is 40 19 . This fraction is already in its simplest form, as 19 is a prime number and does not divide 40. So, the final answer is 40 19 .
Examples
Fractions are used in everyday life, such as when baking, measuring ingredients, or splitting a bill with friends. Understanding how to subtract fractions is essential for accurate calculations in these situations. For example, if you have 3/5 of a pizza and eat 1/8 of the whole pizza, you need to subtract the fractions to determine how much pizza is left.
To subtract 5 3 and 8 1 , we find a common denominator, which is 40. This allows us to rewrite the fractions as 40 24 and 40 5 , leading to the result of 40 19 .
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