Solve 41/2-21/8

$$4 \frac { 1 } { 2 } - 2 \frac { 1 } { 8 }$$

Evaluate

$$\frac{19}{8}=2.375$$

Solution Steps

Multiply 4 and 2 to get 8.

$$\frac{8+1}{2}-\frac{2\times 8+1}{8}$$

Add 8 and 1 to get 9.

$$\frac{9}{2}-\frac{2\times 8+1}{8}$$

Multiply 2 and 8 to get 16.

$$\frac{9}{2}-\frac{16+1}{8}$$

Add 16 and 1 to get 17.

$$\frac{9}{2}-\frac{17}{8}$$

Least common multiple of 2 and 8 is 8. Convert \frac{9}{2} and \frac{17}{8} to fractions with denominator 8.

$$\frac{36}{8}-\frac{17}{8}$$

Since \frac{36}{8} and \frac{17}{8} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{36-17}{8}$$

Subtract 17 from 36 to get 19.

$$\frac{19}{8}$$

Factor

$$\frac{19}{2 ^ {3}} = 2\frac{3}{8} = 2.375$$