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To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:
Convert the mixed number to an improper fraction.
Find a common denominator for the fractions.
Perform the subtraction.
Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: Convert the Mixed Number
Convert to an improper fraction:
.
Step 2: Find a Common Denominator
Identify a common denominator for and . The least common denominator (LCD) of 5 and 4 is 20.
Convert and to have denominator 20:
and .
Step 3: Subtract the Fractions
Subtract the fractions:
.
The resulting fraction can be converted back to a mixed number:
.
Therefore, the solution to the problem is .
a is negative number.
b is negative number.
What is the sum of a+b?
Converting to makes subtraction much easier! Mixed numbers are harder to work with directly, so improper fractions simplify the process.
List multiples: 5: 5, 10, 15, 20... and 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20... The first number that appears in both lists is 20, so LCD = 20.
Because is much smaller than ! When you subtract a larger number from a smaller number, you always get a negative result.
Divide: remainder . So . The remainder becomes the numerator of the fraction part.
It's much more complicated! You'd need to borrow from the whole number part since . Converting to improper fractions first is the cleaner approach.
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