Solve 71/2-53/8=

$$7 \frac { 1 } { 2 } - 5 \frac { 3 } { 8 } =$$

Evaluate

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

Solution Steps

Multiply 7 and 2 to get 14.

$$\frac{14+1}{2}-\frac{5\times 8+3}{8}$$

Add 14 and 1 to get 15.

$$\frac{15}{2}-\frac{5\times 8+3}{8}$$

Multiply 5 and 8 to get 40.

$$\frac{15}{2}-\frac{40+3}{8}$$

Add 40 and 3 to get 43.

$$\frac{15}{2}-\frac{43}{8}$$

Least common multiple of 2 and 8 is 8. Convert \frac{15}{2} and \frac{43}{8} to fractions with denominator 8.

$$\frac{60}{8}-\frac{43}{8}$$

Since \frac{60}{8} and \frac{43}{8} have the same denominator, subtract them by subtracting their numerators.

$$\frac{60-43}{8}$$

Subtract 43 from 60 to get 17.

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

Factor

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