Solve 53/4-21/4

$$5 \frac { 3 } { 4 } - 2 \frac { 1 } { 4 }$$

Evaluate

$$\frac{7}{2}=3.5$$

Solution Steps

Multiply 5 and 4 to get 20.

$$\frac{20+3}{4}-\frac{2\times 4+1}{4}$$

Add 20 and 3 to get 23.

$$\frac{23}{4}-\frac{2\times 4+1}{4}$$

Multiply 2 and 4 to get 8.

$$\frac{23}{4}-\frac{8+1}{4}$$

Add 8 and 1 to get 9.

$$\frac{23}{4}-\frac{9}{4}$$

Since \frac{23}{4} and \frac{9}{4} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{23-9}{4}$$

Subtract 9 from 23 to get 14.

$$\frac{14}{4}$$

Reduce the fraction \frac{14}{4} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 2.

$$\frac{7}{2}$$

Factor

$$\frac{7}{2} = 3\frac{1}{2} = 3.5$$