Add or subtract. Express simplest form 1 2/5 - (-1 2/15

Its 2 8/15 Conversion a mixed number 1 2

5

to a improper fraction: 1 2/5 = 1 2

5

= 1 · 5 + 2

5

= 5 + 2

5

= 7

5

To find new numerator:

a) Multiply the whole number 1 by the denominator 5. Whole number 1 equally 1 * 5

5

= 5

5

b) Add the answer from previous step 5 to the numerator 2. New numerator is 5 + 2 = 7

c) Write previous answer (new numerator 7) over the denominator 5.

One and two fifths is seven fifths

Conversion a mixed number - 1 2

15

to a improper fraction: - 1 2/15 = - 1 2

15

= - 1 · 15 + (-2)

15

= - 15 + (-2)

15

= - 17

15

To find new numerator:

a) Multiply the whole number - 1 by the denominator 15. Whole number - 1 equally - 1 * 15

15

= - 15

15

b) Add the answer from previous step - 15 to the numerator 2. New numerator is - 15 + 2 = - 13

c) Write previous answer (new numerator - 13) over the denominator 15.

Minus one and two fifteenths is minus thirteen fifteenth

Subtract: 7

5

- (-17

15

) = 7 · 3

5 · 3

- (-17)

15

= 21

15

- (-17

15

) = 21 - (-17)

15

= 38

15

The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of the both denominators - LCM (5, 15) = 15. The fraction result cannot be further simplified by cancelling.

In words - seven fifths minus minus seventeen fifteenth = thirty-eight fifteenths.