Fraction Challenge! Most will Get WRONG!

How to solve complex fraction problems.

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[bigdog]

simple left to right reading start with the fraction over fraction.
First step: Numerator is 3/3 + 1/3 which is 4/3. Denominator is 2/5 - 5/5 which is -3/5.

Second Step: Numerator multiplied by the reciprocal of the denominator. Which is 4/3 * -5/3 which is -20/9

Final step: use bow-tie method to solve -20/9 + 1/2 (-40+9) / (9 * 2) This gives us the final answer -31/18.

Super simple did it fully in my head in about 10 seconds. Now I am going to start to watch the video and see how John did it.

(takes practice but a lot of fun to show off to your math teacher even if he wants everything written out)

[stevedietrich]

I hope I am right, but not sure if this is correct until I watch John's video. Convert both fractions to be divided to a common denominator, 15. 4/3 is 20/15. -3/5 is -9/15. So the left side of the equation is -20/9. Add 1/2 which is the same as 4.5/9. I get a sum of negative 15.5/9.

[ozfire]

First term reduces to -20/9 add the 1/2 second term gives (-40+9)/18 or -31/18 or -1 13/18

[russelllomando]

involved but got it. thanks for the fun.

[johnspencer]

one of the better ones had to think a bit use bow tie much easer in my head-40 + 9= -31 9+9 =18 = -31/18

[kevinwesterlund]

Almost all of your videos are prefaced with a phrase such as “Most will not get right” or “Many won’t know the answer.” I find it unsettling that a former teacher would inject such negativity into his lessons. When I began high school, I was bad at math, but thanks to teachers who taught the subject well and backed up their teaching with positive reinforcement, I ended up understanding and loving math - to the point where it became my major in college. Thank God I never had a teacher like you.

[GaryBricaultLive]

The answer proposed, -31/18 should be reduced to a mixed number, 1 5/6, and not left as an improper fraction.

[olenfersoi]

I'm sorry...the answer is approximated 1.72 From a practical standpoint, no-one would be satisfied with that common fraction. You keep making comments about old fashioned basic arithmetic, but then you expect old fashioned basic arithmetic answers. And, even as a joke, saying that someone is 200% correct is foolish. You can't be more than completely right.