SAT Math : How to subtract complex fractions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Complex Fractions

Solve:

\displaystyle 76-\frac{75}{6}=

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle \frac{7}{6}

\displaystyle 75

\displaystyle 74

\displaystyle \frac{127}{2}

\displaystyle \frac{1}{6}

Correct answer:

\displaystyle \frac{127}{2}

Explanation:

First reduce the fraction. We can divide both the numerator and the denominator by 3.

\displaystyle \frac{75\div 3}{6\div 3}=\frac{25}{2}

 

Now our expression looks like this:

\displaystyle 76-\frac{25}{2}

When you add or subtract fractions, you need to have the same denominator. The lowest common deonminator here is 2. So we need to multiply and solve:

\displaystyle \left ( \frac{2}{2}\right)\cdot76-\frac{25}{2}=\frac{152}{2}-\frac{25}{2}=\frac{127}{2}

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