Solve the following exercise:
57−157−31=?
To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:
- Step 1: Identify the least common multiple (LCM) for the denominators 5, 15, and 3.
- Step 2: Convert each fraction to equivalent fractions with the common denominator.
- Step 3: Perform subtraction on these equivalent fractions.
Let's work through each step:
Step 1: The denominators are 5, 15, and 3. The LCM of these numbers is 15, as it is the smallest number that all denominators divide evenly.
Step 2:
- Convert 57 to an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 15: 57=5×37×3=1521.
- 157 already has the denominator 15.
- Convert 31 to an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 15: 31=3×51×5=155.
Step 3: Subtract the fractions:
1521−157−155=1521−7−5=159.
Simplify 159 by dividing both numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD), which is 3:
15÷39÷3=53.
Therefore, the solution to the problem is 53.