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Problem #92 · October 27, 2026

Common fractions

Calculate: 314−1563\frac{1}{4}-1\frac{5}{6}.
  1. A27122\frac{7}{12}
  2. B15121\frac{5}{12}
  3. C25122\frac{5}{12}
  4. D17121\frac{7}{12}
  5. E1121\frac{1}{2}

WORKED EXAMPLE

Solution

We convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions: 314=1343\frac{1}{4}=\frac{13}{4}, 156=1161\frac{5}{6}=\frac{11}{6}. The common denominator is 12: 3912−2212=1712=1512\frac{39}{12}-\frac{22}{12}=\frac{17}{12}=1\frac{5}{12}. Because 14<56\frac{1}{4}<\frac{5}{6}, one must not forget that it is necessary to "borrow" from the whole part.
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