a Convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions to make the operations easier.
B
b Convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions to make the operations easier.
C
c Convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions to make the operations easier.
D
d Convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions to make the operations easier.
A
a -15 112
B
b -15 34
C
c 17
D
d -10 58
Practice makes perfect
a The calculations for this expression will be easier if we first convert both mixed numbers to their improper fraction form. Let's do this for -7 56 first.
Now that we have both mixed numbers written as improper fractions, it is much easier to add them. However, the denominators are not the same, so we cannot add them just yet. We can create common denominators by using the fact that 12 is a multiple of 6 and 4. Let's rewrite both fractions having 12 as their denominators.
- 47/6 = - 47*2/6*2 = - 94/12
- 29/4= - 29 * 3/4 * 3 = - 87/12
Finally, we can add them!
b Just as we did with Part A, we will start by converting both mixed numbers to their improper fraction form.
-8 12 = - 17/2
-3 14 = - 13/4
We now need both fractions to have the same denominator. This time, we can use the fact that 4 is a multiple of 2. This means that we only need to rewrite one fraction.
- 17/2= - 17*2/2* 2 = - 34/4
Now we can add the fractions.
d One last time, we will start by converting the mixed number to its improper fraction form.
-2 18 = - 17/8Now we can perform the division. Remember, to divide fractions, we can instead multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second.
