SAT Math : How to subtract complex fractions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #82 : Fractions

Solve:

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

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{7}{6}\)

\(\displaystyle 75\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{6}\)

\(\displaystyle 74\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{127}{2}\)

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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