To subtract 10 3 − 5 2 , we first convert 5 2 to 10 4 to have a common denominator. Then, we subtract to get − 10 1 .
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Find a common denominator for the fractions, which is 10.
Convert 5 2 to 10 4 .
Subtract the fractions: 10 3 − 10 4 = 10 − 1 .
The final answer is − 10 1 .
Explanation
Finding a Common Denominator We are asked to subtract two fractions: 10 3 and 5 2 . To do this, we need to find a common denominator.
Rewriting Fractions The least common multiple of 10 and 5 is 10. So, we will rewrite both fractions with a denominator of 10. The first fraction, 10 3 , already has the correct denominator.
Converting the Second Fraction Now, we need to rewrite 5 2 with a denominator of 10. To do this, we multiply both the numerator and the denominator by 2: 5 2 = 5 × 2 2 × 2 = 10 4
Subtracting the Fractions Now that both fractions have the same denominator, we can subtract them: 10 3 − 10 4 = 10 3 − 4 = 10 − 1
Final Answer So, the result of the subtraction is − 10 1 .
Examples
Fractions are used in everyday life, such as when cooking, measuring ingredients, or splitting a bill with friends. Understanding how to subtract fractions is essential for accurate calculations in these situations. For example, if you have 10 3 of a pizza left and you eat 5 2 of the whole pizza, you need to subtract the fractions to determine how much pizza is remaining. This skill is also crucial in more advanced math and science applications.