How do write in simplest form given -2/5+17/2025+1720?

2 Answers
Oct 24, 2016

9/20920

Explanation:

To do the simplification we require the denominators of the fractions to be the same.

To make the denominator of the first fraction 20, multiply numerator/denominator by 4, equivalent to multiplying by 1.

-2/5xx4/4=-8/2025×44=820

We now have.

-8/20+17/20820+1720

Now we just add the numerators.

rArr-8/20+17/20=(-8+17)/20=9/20820+1720=8+1720=920

Oct 27, 2016

9/20920

Explanation:

color(blue)("The structure of a fraction is:")The structure of a fraction is:

color(green)(("count")/("size indicator") " "color(brown)(vec("mathematical names"))" " ("numerator")/("denominator"))countsize indicator −−−−−−−−−−−−−−−mathematical names numeratordenominator

You can not 'directly' add or subtract counts unless the size indicators are the same.

color(brown)("Multiply by 1 and you do not change the underlying value of ")Multiply by 1 and you do not change the underlying value of color(brown)("something. However, 1 comes in many forms.")something. However, 1 comes in many forms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
color(blue)("Answering the question")Answering the question

Make all the size indicators (denominators) the same then subtract the counts (numerators).

[ -2/5color(magenta)(xx1)]+17/20" "->" "[ -2/5color(magenta)(xx4/4)]+17/20[25×1]+1720 [25×44]+1720

""-(2xx4)/(5xx4)" "+17/20" "->" "-8/20" "+17/202×45×4 +1720 820 +1720

color(white)(.).

" "(17-8)/20" " =" " 9/20 17820 = 920