[tex]\frac{5}{12}-\frac{7}{12}[/tex]
Answer (2)
Subtract the numerators since the denominators are the same: 5 − 7 = − 2 .
Write the result as a fraction: 12 − 2 .
Simplify the fraction by dividing both numerator and denominator by 2: 6 − 1 .
The final answer is − 6 1 .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are asked to evaluate the difference between two fractions: 12 5 and 12 7 . Both fractions have the same denominator, which is 12.
Subtracting Numerators Since the fractions have the same denominator, we can subtract the numerators directly: 5 − 7 = − 2 .
Forming the Fraction Now, we write the result as a fraction with the common denominator: 12 − 2 .
Simplifying the Fraction Next, we simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 2: 12 ÷ 2 − 2 ÷ 2 = 6 − 1 .
Final Answer Therefore, the final answer is − 6 1 .
Examples
Fractions are used in everyday life, such as when baking, measuring ingredients, or splitting a bill with friends. Understanding how to subtract fractions, especially those with common denominators, is essential for accurate calculations in these situations. For example, if you have 12 5 of a pizza and you eat 12 7 (which means you ate more than you had!), you would be − 6 1 pizza in debt, meaning you owe 6 1 of a pizza.
To find 12 5 − 12 7 , first subtract the numerators: 5 − 7 = − 2 . This gives us 12 − 2 , which simplifies to − 6 1 . Therefore, the final answer is − 6 1 .
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