Chapter 0.4, Problem 25E

To determine

To find: The simplest form of the given sum or difference.

Answer to Problem 25E

The simplest form of the difference is $\frac{1}{4}$ .

Explanation of Solution

Given:

The given difference is $\frac{13}{20}-\frac{2}{5}$ .

Calculation:

Consider the given difference,

  $\frac{13}{20}-\frac{2}{5}$

Consider the factors of 20 is,

  $20=5\times 2\times 2$

Consider the factors of 5 is,

  $5=1\times 5$

Consider the LCM of 5 and 20 is,

  $5\times 2\times 2=20$

Consider the fraction $\frac{2}{5}$ as,

  $\begin{array}{c}\frac{2}{5}=\frac{2\times 4}{5\times 4}\\ =\frac{8}{20}\end{array}$

Then, the difference is,

  $\begin{array}{c}\frac{13}{20}-\frac{8}{20}=\frac{13-8}{20}\\ =\frac{5}{20}\\ =\frac{1}{4}\end{array}$