Solve 51/2-33/8

$$5 \frac { 1 } { 2 } - 3 \frac { 3 } { 8 }$$

Evaluate

$$\frac{17}{8}=2.125$$

Solution Steps

Multiply 5 and 2 to get 10.

$$\frac{10+1}{2}-\frac{3\times 8+3}{8}$$

Add 10 and 1 to get 11.

$$\frac{11}{2}-\frac{3\times 8+3}{8}$$

Multiply 3 and 8 to get 24.

$$\frac{11}{2}-\frac{24+3}{8}$$

Add 24 and 3 to get 27.

$$\frac{11}{2}-\frac{27}{8}$$

Least common multiple of 2 and 8 is 8. Convert \frac{11}{2} and \frac{27}{8} to fractions with denominator 8.

$$\frac{44}{8}-\frac{27}{8}$$

Since \frac{44}{8} and \frac{27}{8} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{44-27}{8}$$

Subtract 27 from 44 to get 17.

$$\frac{17}{8}$$

Factor

$$\frac{17}{2 ^ {3}} = 2\frac{1}{8} = 2.125$$