Solve the Fraction Subtraction: 1/2 - 2/8 Step-by-Step

Question

Solve the following exercise:

1228=? \frac{1}{2}-\frac{2}{8}=\text{?}

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Solve
00:03 Multiply the fraction by 4 to reach the common denominator
00:07 Make sure to multiply both numerator and denominator
00:15 Calculate the multiplications
00:22 Subtract with the common denominator
00:28 Calculate the numerator
00:34 Reduce the fraction as much as possible
00:37 Make sure to divide both numerator and denominator
00:41 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Find a common denominator for both fractions.
  • Step 2: Convert the fractions to have the same denominator.
  • Step 3: Perform the subtraction with the converted fractions.
  • Step 4: Simplify the result, if needed.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The problem gives us the fractions 12\frac{1}{2} and 28\frac{2}{8}. The denominator 22 can be converted to 88 (the denominator of the second fraction) by multiplying by 4.
Step 2: Convert 12\frac{1}{2} to 48\frac{4}{8}, since 1×42×4=48\frac{1 \times 4}{2 \times 4} = \frac{4}{8}. Now both fractions have a denominator of 8.
Step 3: Perform the subtraction: 4828=428=28\frac{4}{8} - \frac{2}{8} = \frac{4 - 2}{8} = \frac{2}{8}.
Step 4: Simplify 28\frac{2}{8} by dividing both numerator and denominator by 2: 2÷28÷2=14\frac{2 \div 2}{8 \div 2} = \frac{1}{4}.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 14 \frac{1}{4} .

Answer

14 \frac{1}{4}