Donate SIGN UP

Urgent Homework...

Avatar Image
Willow Tree | 20:26 Thu 19th Apr 2007 | Education
4 Answers
Hi

My niece needs help on her maths homework about fractions. I have no idea about them! I never did when i was in school!

Here's an example question:

7/12 take away 1/2

Also, please can you try to explain it me.

Thank ABers x
Gravatar

Answers

1 to 4 of 4rss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by Willow Tree. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
Yeah, um, you have to change the fractions. Basically, on your example, multiply the 2 on the bottom by 6 to get 12 on the bottom, and therefore you have to multiply the top by 6, so you get 6/12. Then you simply do 7/12 minus 6/12 to get 1/12. Hope this was helpful!
In response to the above answer this brings back memories from school. Is it something to do with finding the lowest common denominator or something? What I'd like to know is despite struggling with these things at school I have never, since leaving school ever had the need to take 1/2 away from 7/12 so what's the point of it all? I just think teachers enjoy causing kids great stress and worry!!
There is an easier way 6/12 =1/2 so you are left with 1/12
maths is not taught in such a rigid way these days - if an easier way of working out is available use it!

Do you know the answer?

Urgent Homework...

Answer Question >>