Solve 15/12-31/3

$$1 \frac { 5 } { 12 } - 3 \frac { 1 } { 3 }$$

Evaluate

$$-\frac{23}{12}\approx -1.916666667$$

Solution Steps

Multiply 1 and 12 to get 12.

$$\frac{12+5}{12}-\frac{3\times 3+1}{3}$$

Add 12 and 5 to get 17.

$$\frac{17}{12}-\frac{3\times 3+1}{3}$$

Multiply 3 and 3 to get 9.

$$\frac{17}{12}-\frac{9+1}{3}$$

Add 9 and 1 to get 10.

$$\frac{17}{12}-\frac{10}{3}$$

Least common multiple of 12 and 3 is 12. Convert \frac{17}{12} and \frac{10}{3} to fractions with denominator 12.

$$\frac{17}{12}-\frac{40}{12}$$

Since \frac{17}{12} and \frac{40}{12} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{17-40}{12}$$

Subtract 40 from 17 to get -23.

$$-\frac{23}{12}$$

Factor

$$-\frac{23}{12} = -1\frac{11}{12} = -1.9166666666666667$$