What is 4 and 1 over 4 minus 7 and 1 over 2?

Answer 1

It is usually easier to convert mixed numbers to improper fractions, do the subtraction (by finding equivalent fractions with the same denominator) and convert any resulting improper fraction to a mixed number:

4 1/4 - 7 1/2 = (4×4+1)/4 + (7×2+1)/2

= 17/4 - 15/2

= 17/4 - (15×2)/(2×2)

= 17/4 - 30/4

= (17-30)/4

= -13/4

= -(3×4+1)/4

= -3 1/4