GRE Math : How to subtract complex fractions

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Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Complex Fractions

Simplify the following:

$\frac{3+\frac{3}{7}}{\frac{2}{3}-4} - \frac{2 + \frac{1}{2}}{3}$

Possible Answers:

$-\frac{451}{7}$

$-\frac{391}{210}$

$\frac{21}{6}$

$-\frac{5}{3}$

$\frac{211}{5}$

Correct answer:

$-\frac{391}{210}$

Explanation:

This problem merely requires careful working out of each part. Begin by simplifying the first fraction:

$\frac{3+\frac{3}{7}}{\frac{2}{3}-4}$

The numerator will be:

$3+\frac{3}{7} = \frac{21}{7}+\frac{3}{7} = \frac{24}{7}$

The denominator will be:

$\frac{2}{3}-4 = \frac{2}{3}-\frac{12}{3} = -\frac{10}{3}$

Thus, we have the following fraction:

$\frac{\frac{24}{7}}{-\frac{10}{3}}$

Remember that you must multiply the numerator by the reciprocal of the denominator:

$\frac{24}{7} * -\frac{3}{10} = -\frac{72}{70}$

Now, work on the second fraction:

$\frac{2 + \frac{1}{2}}{3}$

This fraction is much easier. After simplifying the numerator, you get:

$\frac{\frac{5}{2}}{3}$

This is the same as:

$\frac{5}{2} \cdot \frac{1}{3} = \frac{5}{6}$

Thus, we come to our original expression! It is:

$-\frac{72}{70} - \frac{5}{6}$

The common denominator of these fractions is 210 . Thus, you have:

$\frac{-72 * 3 - 5 * 35}{210} = \frac{-216 -175}{210} = -\frac{391}{210}$

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Example Question #2 : How To Subtract Complex Fractions

x >0

Quantity A: $\frac{x+2}{x+1}$

Quantity B: $\frac{x+3}{x+2}$

Possible Answers:

Quantity A is greater.

Quantity B is greater.

The two quantities are equal.

The relationship between A and B cannot be determined.

Correct answer:

Quantity A is greater.

Explanation:

As it is, quantities A and B have different denominators, so making a comparison can be tricky. Making a common denominator will allow for comparison of just the numerators, so that would make a good first step:

Quantity A:

$\frac{x+2}{x+1}=\frac{(x+2)(x+2)}{(x+1)(x+2)}=\frac{x^2+4x+4}{x^2+3x+2}$

Quantity B:

$\frac{x+3}{x+2}=\frac{(x+3)(x+1)}{(x+2)(x+1)}=\frac{x^2+4x+3}{x^2+3x+2}$

Disregarding equal denominators, since they'll always have a positive value, compare the numerators. If x^2+4x is subtracted from quantity A and from quantity B, we're left with for the former and for the latter.

Quantity A is greater.

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Example Question #2 : How To Subtract Complex Fractions

Quantity A: x^2+5x+ 4

Quantity B: x^2+10x+21

Possible Answers:

Quantity A and Quantity B are equal.

Quantity A is greater.

The relationship between A and B cannot be determined.

Quantity B is greater.

Correct answer:

The relationship between A and B cannot be determined.

Explanation:

One way to approach this question is to try to reduce the complexity of each quantity. By subtracting the value of Quantity A, x^2+5x+ 4 from both A and B, we can make a new comparison:

Quantity A': x^2+5x+ 4-(x^2+5x+ 4 )=0

Quantity B': x^2+10x+21-(x^2+5x+4)=5x+17

Now, it's easy to see that for different values of Quantity B may be greater, lesser, or equal to Quantity A.

Since is not restricted in its possible values, the relationship cannot be determined.

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Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Complex Fractions

Rhoda can prune rhododendrons in hours, while Rhonda can prune in hours. If a work day is hours, how many rhododendrons will Rita have to prune per hour so that the team prunes the garden's 300 rhododendrons?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find out how many rhododendrons Rita will need to prune in an hour, we must first find out how many she needs to prune.

If Rhoda can prune rhododendrons in hours, then she can prune in hours, and if Rhonda can prune in hours, she can prune 120 in hours.

If this is not readily apparent, it can be found by finding out how many each prunes in one hour, then multiplying by .

Rhoda: $6(\frac{42}{3})=6(\frac{14}{1})=84$

Rhonda: $6(\frac{40}{2})=6(\frac{20}{1})=120$

Between Rhoda and Rhonda, 204 of the 300 rhododendrons can be pruned, leaving for Rita.

Since she has hours for the task, her rate of pruning can be found to be:

$\frac{96}{6}\frac{rhododendrons}{hours}=16\frac{rhododendrons}{hour}$

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GRE Math : How to subtract complex fractions

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Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Complex Fractions

Example Question #2 : How To Subtract Complex Fractions

Example Question #2 : How To Subtract Complex Fractions

Example Question #1 : How To Subtract Complex Fractions

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