math help

What is 57/7 - 2/10?

What is 57/7 - 2/10?

Here's how to subtract 2/10 from 57/7:

57
7
2
10

Step 1

We can't subtract two fractions with different denominators. So you need to get a common denominator. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 57 by 10, and get 570.

Then we multiply 2 by 7, and get 14.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 7 × 10 = 70.

So now our fractions look like this:

570
70
14
70

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

570 − 14 = 556

So the answer is:

556
70

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

556
70
÷ 2 =
278
35

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 5...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 7...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 11...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 13...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 17...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 19...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 23...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 29...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 31...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 37...

No good. 37 is larger than 35. So we're done reducing.

There you have it! The final answer is:
57
7
2
10
=
278
35