Maths help... algebra

[CinnamonPretzel]

Quick question for any maths bods: -

= 5/2 + (-2)
= 5/2 - 2
= 5/2 - 4/2
= 1/2

why has it gone from 2 into 4/2?

Help appreciated.. and yes I should speak to my tutor but trying to catch up

because you need a common denominator for 5/2 and 2- so 2 is 2/1 multiplied by 2 so becomes 4/2. Now you can do 5/2 (which is 2.5) - 4/2 (which is 2) and you get 1/2 i.e. 0.5.

So you can do the subtraction I think.

In addition and subtraction of fractions the denominator has to be the same in both numbers....

(Vague mists of time maths memory looming up from the depths)

You could, of course, have changed the 5/2 into 2 and a 1/2 and then subtracted the 2 from the 2 leaving just the 1/2!

Thats very helpful. It brings back the hazey memory from some previous units on fractions etc. I didn't want to just move on in the questions without understanding why - so thank you for helping :)

Yes Spaniel, that would have been my working - I've never been any good at fractions but slowly getting there. Strange how as an adult I'm picking up things easier - or maybe its just that they explain things in a way you can understand without making you feel small and stupid now :)