A farmer placed an order for $11\frac{1}{6}$ tons of fertilizer. He calculates that the corn fields will require $8\frac{5}{6}$ tons of it. How much fertilizer will the farmer have left for his other crops? $\newline$ Write your answer as a fraction or as a whole or mixed number. $\newline$ _____ tons

Full solution

Q. A farmer placed an order for

11\frac{1}{6}

tons of fertilizer. He calculates that the corn fields will require

8\frac{5}{6}

tons of it. How much fertilizer will the farmer have left for his other crops?

\newline

Write your answer as a fraction or as a whole or mixed number.

\newline

_____ tons

Convert to Improper Fractions: Step $1$ : Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions for easier calculation. $\newline$ $11 \frac{1}{6} = (11\times6 + 1)/6 = \frac{67}{6}$ $\newline$ $8 \frac{5}{6} = (8\times6 + 5)/6 = \frac{53}{6}$
Subtract Fertilizer Amount: Step $2$ : Subtract the amount of fertilizer used on the corn fields from the total amount ordered. $\newline$ $\frac{67}{6} - \frac{53}{6} = \frac{67 - 53}{6} = \frac{14}{6}$
Simplify Fraction: Step $3$ : Simplify the fraction obtained in Step $2$ . $\frac{14}{6} = \frac{7}{3}$ , which is $2 \frac{1}{3}$ when converted to a mixed number.