Chapter 0.4, Problem 36E

To determine

To find: The simplest form of the given sum or difference.

Answer to Problem 36E

The simplest form of the difference is $\frac{-3}{10}$ .

Explanation of Solution

Given:

The given difference is $\frac{1}{2}-\frac{4}{5}$ .

Calculation:

Consider the given difference,

  $\frac{1}{2}-\frac{4}{5}$

Consider the factors of 2 is,

  $2=2\times 1$

Consider the factors of 5 is,

  $5=5\times 1$

Consider the LCM of 2 and 5 is,

  $2\times 5=10$

Consider the fraction $\frac{1}{2}$ as,

  $\begin{array}{c}\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1\times 5}{2\times 5}\\ =\frac{5}{10}\end{array}$

Consider the fraction $\frac{4}{5}$ as,

  $\begin{array}{c}\frac{4}{5}=\frac{4\times 2}{5\times 2}\\ =\frac{8}{10}\end{array}$

Then, the difference is,

  $\begin{array}{c}\frac{5}{10}-\frac{8}{10}=\frac{5-8}{10}\\ =\frac{-3}{10}\end{array}$