Solve 53/8-97/8

$$5 \frac { 3 } { 8 } - 9 \frac { 7 } { 8 }$$

Evaluate

$$-\frac{9}{2}=-4.5$$

Solution Steps

Multiply 5 and 8 to get 40.

$$\frac{40+3}{8}-\frac{9\times 8+7}{8}$$

Add 40 and 3 to get 43.

$$\frac{43}{8}-\frac{9\times 8+7}{8}$$

Multiply 9 and 8 to get 72.

$$\frac{43}{8}-\frac{72+7}{8}$$

Add 72 and 7 to get 79.

$$\frac{43}{8}-\frac{79}{8}$$

Since \frac{43}{8} and \frac{79}{8} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{43-79}{8}$$

Subtract 79 from 43 to get -36.

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

Reduce the fraction \frac{-36}{8} to lowest terms by extracting and canceling out 4.

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

Factor

$$-\frac{9}{2} = -4\frac{1}{2} = -4.5$$