Task: Find the value of the expression 6 1/6 - (2 7/9 + a) when a = 1.5.
Solution:
- Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions:
6 1/6 = (6*6 + 1) / 6 = 37/62 7/9 = (2*9 + 7) / 9 = 25/9
- Substitute the value of 'a' (1.5 = 3/2):
- The expression becomes:
37/6 - (25/9 + 3/2)
- Add the fractions inside the parentheses:
- Find a common denominator for 9 and 2, which is 18.
25/9 = 50/183/2 = 27/1850/18 + 27/18 = 77/18
- Subtract the result from the first term:
- The expression is now:
37/6 - 77/18 - Find a common denominator for 6 and 18, which is 18.
37/6 = 111/18111/18 - 77/18 = 34/18
- Simplify the fraction:
- Divide both numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 2.
34/18 = 17/9
- Convert the improper fraction back to a mixed number:
Answer: 1 8/9